Looking for more reading about pregnancy, birth and parenting? I’ve culled down my favorite books and websites for you. Found any you love? Send them to me and maybe I’ll add them to this list!
Please note: these resources are provided only as recommendations for readers to find more information on pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and baby care. Anything found in these books does not replace medical advice. However, it is your right and responsibility to ask questions of your medical care providers and actively participate in decisions that affect your and your baby’s medical care and health.
for Pregnancy and Childbirth
(if you have limited time for reading, choose the first eight resources listed)
Sears, William and Martha. The Pregnancy Book: Month-by-Month, Everything You Need to Know from America’s Baby Experts
Somer, Elizabeth. Nutrition for a Healthy Pregnancy
Simkin, Penny, Whalley & Keppler. Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Newborn
Gaskin, Ina May. Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth
Goer, Henci. The Thinking Woman’s Guide to a Better Birth
Childbirth Connection
Resources A-Z is the best part of the site for you to start your reading…
And also definitely read these two documents on their website:
What Every Woman Needs to Know About Cesarean Section and Listening to Mothers
International Cesarean Awareness Network (ICAN)
Fields, Alan and Denise. Baby Bargains
Harris, A. Christine. The Pregnancy Journal: A Day to Day Guide to a Healthy and Happy Pregnancy
Coalition to Improve Maternity Services
O’Mara, Peggy. Mothering Magazine’s Having a Baby, Naturally: The Mothering Magazine Guide to Pregnancy and Childbirth
Simkin, Penny. The Birth Partner
Sears, William. The Birth Book : Everything You Need to Know to Have a Safe and Satisfying Birth
England, Pam & Rob Horowitz. Birthing from Within: An Extra-Ordinary Guide to Childbirth Preparation
Freedman, Lois. Birth as a Healing Experience
Cassidy, Tina. Birth: the Surprising History of How We Are Born
Northrup, Christiane. Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom
Sichel, Deborah, & Jeanne Watson Driscoll. Women’s Moods
Small, Meredith. Our Babies, Ourselves Childbirth
Korte, Diana. The VBAC Companion
Breastfeeding
Newman, Jack, and Pitman, Teresa. The Ultimate Breastfeeding Book of Answers: The Most Comprehensive Problem-Solution Guide to Breastfeeding from the Foremost Expert in North America
Behrmann, Barbara. The Breastfeeding Café: Mothers Share the Joys, Challenges, and Secrets of Nursing
Nursing Mothers’ Council
Free phone support for breastfeeding mothers
(or call 617.244.5102)
Massachusetts Breastfeeding Coalition
At least Two excellent documents to print out before your baby is born: Making Milk is Easy! and Discharge Instructions. Also includes more evidence-based information, advice, and links.
The American Academy of Pediatrics 2005 Policy Statement: Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk
The United States Government’s Public Service Campaign on Breastfeeding
The American College of Nurse-Midwives on Breastfeeding
Articles by lactation consultant and esteemed breastfeeding researcher Kathleen Kendall-Tackett, PhD, IBCLC
Helpful and varied information on breastfeeding at Breastfeeding.com
Helpful and varied information on breastfeeding at Kellymom.com
Articles by lactation consultant and esteemed breastfeeding researcher Linda Smith, BSE, FACCE,IBCLC
Articles by Jack Newman, MD, a pediatrician and world-wide reknowned expert in breastfeeding
Articles by various breastfeeding experts
Baby Care
Sears, William and Martha. The Baby Book
Karp, Harvey. The Happiest Baby on the Block : The New Way to Calm Crying and Help Your Newborn Baby Sleep Longer (the DVD is more helpful than the book!)
Kitzinger, Sheila. The Year After Childbirth
Meghan’s Hope A website raising awareness about the importance of preventing furniture tipovers and resultant injury and death to children, with helpful information on what you can do to protect children in your life.
