Preggo Book Suggestions??? (and Breastfeeding, Infant Rearing, too!)

[MamaRBH]

Hi Mamas... okay, I haven't been pregnant in alomost 5 years, so I'm a little out of the know in good pregnancy books. I also decided, after peeking in the "what to expect" book, that pregnancy books weren't for me. I read one week-by-week just to keep up on physical developments, but that's about it. I do remember my DDC here talking about books they agreed were great. I was fortunate to have amazing breastfeeding with my children, so never looked into books on that, either.

A dear, amazingly loving and kind gal I know is about 5 weeks pregnant after years of trying w/ PCOS. She feels hugely blessed, but also scared and like she's amidst a dream. She asked me for some book suggestions, as she is a big-time reader and has already decided she's going to read her way through the pregnancy. I told her 1) your instincts will be more helpful than any book you read 2) BUT, there are a few great ones out there on pregnancy, breastfeeding, etc. if you truly need to read your way through.

I don't want mainstream books or books that spend too much time focusing on the "what ifs." I need positive pregnancy books with a "trust your instincts" touch. Is there such a thing?

[avalonfaith]

The book "pregnancy and Chilbirth Secrets" I really like. I can't remember the author right now. "Ina Mae's Guide to Childbirth", "Calm Birth", "Ina Mae's Guide to Breastfeeding". HTH!

[MaerynPearl]

Im reading the Hypnobirthing book and LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE it!!! Its very geared on: Women have been doing this for thousands of years on their own before medical intervention came along. Dont let doctors bully you into doing something you are not comfortable with.

It doesnt say... OH dont have a c-section under any conditions! Your baby will never forgive you! (yes, ive read a book that says that)
It DOES say... under the right conditions, a drug-free natural labor is perfectly attainable for any woman (granted, those right conditions will NOT be met for every woman due to other medical problems and such, but if they were any woman can do it)

I dont think it says anything about breastfeeding but it is very strongly geared towards mom being much stronger than some books give her credit for.

Also, I really dislike the what-to-expect books because they tell you all that can go wrong... and that scares you. Most women are smart enough to know that if something doesn't seem right, to talk to their midwife/doctor about it without a book telling them to.

[desertlotus]

My Favorite Books

and I've read my way through this pregnancy, off and on- being my first time at 42 and feeling great, I followed sage friends advice to avoid most of the mainstream "what to expect" books and wound up with a couple i really treasured. One is "magical Beginnings, Enchanted Lives" by Deepak Chopra and the other is "Beautiful, Bountiful, Blissful" by Gurmukh. gurmukh is a Kundalini yoga instructor, so that book is very much aligned with the Kundalini yoga philosophy and practice, so that may not be what you're looking for- but Deepak's book is a holistic guide to pregnancy and childbirth and I think is a wonderful and encouraging read for anyone on this journey.
Cheers!

[rparker]

Birth: Ina May's Guide to Childbirth, Hypnobirthing, The Birth Book (Sears)

Infancy/Attachment Parenting: The No Cry Sleep Solution, The No Cry Nap Solution, The Baby Book (Sears)

Breastfeeding: The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding, Mothering Your Nursing Toddler (if she runs out of stuff and wants to read ahead!)

[HeatherB]

A friend just recommend Sarah Buckley's "Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering" as a great all-in-one book for first timers.

[*EarthMama*]

Originally Posted by rparker

Birth: Ina May's Guide to Childbirth, Hypnobirthing, The Birth Book (Sears)

Infancy/Attachment Parenting: The No Cry Sleep Solution, The No Cry Nap Solution, The Baby Book (Sears)

Breastfeeding: The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding, Mothering Your Nursing Toddler (if she runs out of stuff and wants to read ahead!)

I second all of these! I have all of them and they are ALL great!

Also want to add:

Pregnancy:
Magical Beginnings, Enchanted Lives (Deepak Chopra)
Bountiful, Beautiful, Blissful (Gurmukh)

(2 of my very favorites)