For the first pregnancy, I read what to expect when you’re expecting and what to expect for baby (a few months in advance before baby was born, then one month in advance at a time after ). I kept that up until she was about 2, found lots of useful info there.
I’ve also found baby week by week very good, not overwhelming on information, just what you need. I found it very useful to know for ex about in what week babies start to smile as I had no idea and was getting worried, how much they should sleep at what age, etc
also read no cry sleep solution, very good on sleep patterns and how to establish them, ways to sooth etc
it”s good to read these books now bc you won’t have any time or energy when the baby is born, not for the first 2-3 months anyway.
I’ve also read some books on hipnobirthing and labour etc but not the ones recommended in this thread, so plan to read them later.
I haven’t read anything his time, I will read and reread in the last 2 months I think
i got a book on first aid but it’s better to do a course, maybe I’ll do that now too
I did the free nhs classes at the hospital and some paid antenatal ones. I’d recommend the nhs, much more informative. I won’t be doing it this time, I don’t want to take a first time’s mum’s place, plus I think I remember everything.
what I need to do here is to get the contact of any breastfeeding clinic from the hospital or midwife, in case I have problems with latching to ask for help. I need to do that in advance as again I won’t have the energy after,
I will also install an app to count kicks, nearer the time of birth, like 2 months before I think, need to ask the midwife when it’s best.
if you’re not bothered about not getting everything brand new for the baby, you can start looking now at places like FB marketplace. We left it too late, couldn’t find a pram we liked, for ex, and had to buy a new expensive one. But it’s not really worth it. We’ve been buying (and selling) lots of things after.