[*Amy*]

Hey guys, my birthday is coming up in about 3 weeks (<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/yikes.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="EEK!"> ) and I am building an Amazon wishlist right now so that far-away friends & fam can send me presents!! So, I am wondering if y'all would contribute by sharing with me your favorite parenting/mothering/birthing books/pregnancy/etc. books - the ones you've read more than once, can't live without, or always buy for your pregnant friends.<br><br>
Thanks - I can't wait to see what this group comes up with!

 

[beachbaby]

Happy early Birthday! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/partytime.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="partytime"><br><br>
If *I* had a birthday coming up (too bad there aren't more holidays between now and November to ask for more baby stuff!):<br><br>
I'd ask for the new Alfie Kohn book (<b>Unconditional Parenting</b>) cuz I haven't read it yet and <b>The Baby Name Wizard</b> cuz it's fun and light reading (Alfie makes my brain hurt sometimes so I'd need some fluff to counteract him :LOL) .

 

[Awaken]

Best ever books: Our Babies, Ourselves by Meredith Small, any Dr Sears books, and a good breastfeeding manual (I used The Nursing Mother's Companion)<br><br>
The My Brest Friend nursing pillow- I had the boppy and tried my friend's MBF and it was sooooo much better and easier- I am gonna get one this time.<br><br>
I'm sure there's more, but my brain is too fried right now to think.

 

[flapjack]

Hmm. Off the top of my head:<br>
Susun Weeds Wise Women Herbal for the Childbearing Year<br>
Spiritual Midwifery<br>
Birth without Violence, by Frederick Leboyer<br>
Active Birth, by Janet Balaskas<br>
Children First, by Penelope Leach<br>
Summerhill :A radical approach to child-rearing, by A.S.Neill<br>
and definitely, definitely The Nursing Mothers Companion. There's a very eclectic mix in there and some of it is parenting older children, but it's all stuff I keep coming back to again and again.<br>
Oh- doh. And The Continuum Concept.

 

[BensMom]

Thinking Womans Guide to a Better Birth by Henci Goer<br>
The Birth Book by Sears<br>
The Baby Book by Sears<br><br>
Some nice pregnancy PJs would be nice for you<br><br>
hmm, I am sure I will think of more...

 

[Daffodil]

I second the recommendation for <i>Unconditional Parenting</i>. I just read it, and I think every parent ought to consider his ideas pretty seriously.<br><br>
Oh, and if you're considering EC, <i>Infant Potty Training</i> by Laurie Boucke or <i>Diaper Free</i> by Ingrid Bauer.

 

[samsmamma]

ITA with most of the books posted up there.<br>
One that I'd add is Super Baby Food. It's a little corny, but I really liked the order that she suggested introducing foods in, and it made Sam a really diverse eater as a wee one.<br><br>
My b'day is coming up too...5/31!

 

[cjbeach]

Hmmm, maybe some pregnancy tea or some maternity clothes?<br><br>
Another vote for Susun Weed's Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing year (she has a great website as well if you can't find it on Amazon). Positive Parenting the First Three Years was a keepe as wellr!

 

[s_kristina]

All the book suggestions sound good to me, but the only ones I have ever bought are a few of the Sears books. I have checked others out of the library, but haven't liked them enough to buy them. I did want to sugest some sort of pampering items for you. Being able to take time to myself even if it was only long enough to sit in the tub for a half hour really helped me feel better about myself. I have also always loved manicure annd pedicure sets for gifts too. Not sure if this is really a useful idea, but its about all I could think of after that long list of books!

 

[Awaken]

Oh yeah, I knew i was forgetting something!<br><br>
Super Baby Food is a must! I totally used the plan for feeding my son, although didn't really do the toddler stuff b/c he became too picky to eat any of it! I also didn't stoop so far as to make my own sprouts! But I love that book!<br><br>
Also, any of Ina Mae Gaskin's books- Spiritual Midwifery and Ina's mae's guide to Childbirth.<br><br>
Baby Catcher by Peggy Vincent- totally inspiring, I couldn't put it down!!<br><br>
And, yes- lots of pampering stuff for YOU!

 

[AmyGirl28]

Here are some books that I have in my library...<br><br>
Wise Women Herbal for the Childbearing Year- Susan Weed<br><br>
Super Baby Food- Ruth Yaron<br>
This book really helped me out with meal planning and quantity. The homemade baby food ice cube method is really cool too.<br><br>
Kid Tips- Tom McMahon<br>
I love this book! It is mostly for toddlers and up. Lots of fun ideas from other parents.<br><br>
Gentle Healing for Baby and Child- Andrea Candee<br>
Herbal alternatives to prescription medicine for babies.

 

[*Amy*]

Thanks you guys! This has been so helpful and fun! I love looking up all of your recommendations! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/thumb.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="thumbs up">

 

[Turtlemum]

A book that is great for creative ways to enjoy/enhance your pregnancy/birth experience is Birthing From Within by Pam England. I highly recommend it!