Recommended Books?

Hi,
I have a list of books (about 10) that my ob recommends. Of course I'm not going to buy or read them all - but I was wondering if anyone had them, or had heard of them? Were they good? Would you recommend them too?

Or are there other books out there that you would recommend for a 1st time mum and dad, who are complete baby novices!

I really really hope to breastfeed and I was told by a midwife who I met at a Christmas party, that even if I did not do any prep for the labour and birth, she felt that the most important thing I could possibly do was to learn/read as much as I could about breastfeeding. So if you know any books etc about that...I would appreciate the recommendation.

I did look around on BB and could not find a thread about books...if there is one, and I am in the wrong place; please point me in the right direction.

TIA
Jo

1. "Mother and Baby - A Survival Guide for the First 12 Months and Beyond" - Margaret Geddes
2. "Baby and Child" - Penelope Leach
3. "Every Woman" - Derek Llewellyn-Jones
4. "The Crying Baby" - Sheila Kitzinger
5. " Easy Parenting" - Judith Paphazy
6. "Breast Feeding" - NMAA Booklet
7. "Bestfeeding" - Mary Renfrew, Chole Fisher & Suzanne Arms (pretty sure that the word Best is not a typo)
8. "The Baby Book" - William and Martha Sears
9. "Nighttime Parenting" - William Sears
10. "Every Parent" - Matthew R Sanders

The only parenting book I purchased prior to having my baby was 'A Common sense guide for Australian Parents' by Carol Fallows & Shayne Collier. I found it covered most topics and just got straight to the point without too much opinion which can sometimes become annoying. I still refer to it as it covers development stages up to 3yrs....common illnesses, emergency aid etc.

I am always being told that Baby Love is a great book.....not sure of author. I'm sure someone on here would've read it. I don't know anyone that hasn't loved it.

Happy Reading.

i have just finished reading 'the crying baby' and it is absolutely fantastic. i could not recommend it highly enough.

Here's some great ones BB recommends - you'll get lots of thumbs up from our members with these books.

As for breastfeeding books, if you join the ABA for $50 (highly recommended) you get their awesome breastfeeding book - its fantastic. Plus the benefits of membership.

Anything by Sheila Kitzinger is good! Janet Balaskas, Henci Goer, Margot Sunderland and Pinky McKay.

I have read 'Best Feeding' but found it to be a little out of date. I'd recommend 'Breastfeeding ... naturally' which can be purchased through the Australian Breastfeeding Association (currently comes free when you join).

I have also found 'New Active Birth' and 'Waterbirth' by Janet Balaskas a good read, as well as 'The natural way to better birth and bonding' by Francesca Naish and Janette Roberts.

Depending on your mindset about pregnancy, birth and babies, be selective on what you read. Some books tend to scare you into a medically managed pregnancy and birth, whilst others are a little too free spirited in their guidance. You need to find the books that fit with your ideals on preganancy, birth and baby, and check that the author has reputable knowledge on what they are advising.

For me 'Save our Sleep' helped a great deal at a very hard time....I love that book.

I'd recommend people look into the qualifications of authors too before they buy books. Anyone can write a book and some books about parenting have been associated with failure to thrive and other things.

kelly could you tell me which ones that have been associated with failure to thrive
if you want to emailme thats fine
my sil has gotten to love a book already mentioned

Hi There,

I highly recommend that you take a look at 'Your Pregnancy Bible' by Dr Anne Deans. I purchased two books... the first was 'conception, pregnancy & birth' by Dr. Mirian Stoppard then my friend recommended Dr Dean's books.

I found that the first 'bible' is great! It covers everything in detail and the main bonus for me was the detailed week by week guide with little pictures. While the other book has similar information I found not as much detail in the different stages of the baby plus it has some really bad 80's like photos!

Hope that helps. Dr Dean's book was $45 when I purchased it... the only down side is it was not on ebay so I had to buy new. The other book was $60 or something like that.

Happy Reading!

Thanks everyone!

Good advice farmgirl - buying books which are similar to my ideals.

Kelly - thanks, I knew there had to be something on BB about books already...didn't think to look in the articles.

I love reading...let's go shopping!!