22 Must Have Books for New Moms
Being a new mom is an exciting new experience, and luckily there are a ton of books that can help us get prepared for our new journey. We surveyed a group of moms for their best book recommendations for new moms, and here are some of their favorites. There is something for everyone, for every need, and every phase of child rearing. Please give us your feedback, and let us know which one is your favorite.
If podcasts are more your thing, check out our list of Podcasts for Every Mom.
Disclosure ā This post contains Affiliate LinksĀ
The Happiest Baby on the Block; Fully Revised and Updated Second Edition: The New Way to Calm Crying and Help Your Newborn Baby Sleep Longer
by Dr. Harvey Karp
Thousands of parents, from regular moms and dads to Hollywood superstars, have come to baby expert Dr. Harvey Karp to learn his remarkable techniques for soothing babies and increasing sleep. Now his landmark bookāfully revised and updated with the latest insights into infant sleep, bed sharing, breastfeeding, swaddling, and SIDS riskācan teach you too!
Kindle $13.99,Ā Paperback $13.01, and available forĀ Free on AudibleĀ with subscription.Ā
The Whole-Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child’s Developing Mind
by Daniel J. Siegel, Tina Payne Bryson
In this pioneering, practical book, Daniel J. Siegel, neuropsychiatrist and author of the bestselling Mindsight, and parenting expert Tina Payne Bryson offers a revolutionary approach to child rearing with twelve key strategies that foster healthy brain development, leading to calmer, happier children. The authors explaināand make accessibleāthe new science of how a childās brain is wired and how it matures.
Kindle $13.99,Ā Hardcover $19.50, Paperback $9.25,Ā and available forĀ Free on AudibleĀ with subscription.Ā
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The Fab Mom’s Guide: How to Get Over the Bump & Bounce Back Fast After Baby
by Jill Simonian
Bouncing back fast after having a baby is absolutely possible for anyone. Affectionately known as The FAB Mom on-air and online, Jill Simonian uses her trusted and entertaining expertise to set expecting and new moms on a distinctive, no-frills journey to help them āget over the bumpā and bounce back fast after having a baby. Jillās frank tricks, somewhat against-the-grain tips, and laugh-out-loud tales involving famous names provide first-time moms a unique roadmap for managing and conquering the lifestyle challenges a newborn often brings
Kindle $12.99, Hardcover $12.66
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The Daily Soul Sessions for the Pregnant Mama
by Kacey Coppola MorrealeĀ Ā
Pregnancy is not new to this world. But it is new to you! The Daily Soul Sessions for the Pregnant Mama is a collection of daily inspirations for all thrilled, shocked, excited, and delighted Mamas to Be. There are 280 soul sessions–one for every day of this crazy, wild ride called pregnancy. This book is a reminder to live every day in the moment, forget the past, and focus on the positive. It’s not a how-to or a guide to have the perfect pregnancy.
Kindle – $9.99, Paperback, $12.69 Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā
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What to Feed Your Baby: A Pediatrician’s Guide to the 11 Essential Foods to Guarantee Veggie-Loving, No-Fuss, Healthy-Eating Kids
by Tanya Altmann
As a pediatrician, spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics, and mother of three boys, Dr. Tanya Altmann knows that good nutrition is essential for healthy kids. In What to Feed Your Baby, Dr. Tanya provides the latest nutritional recommendations and best practices for feeding babies and young children. The simple, fool-proof program focuses on serving eleven foundation foods: eggs, prunes, avocado, fish, yogurt/cheese/milk, nuts, chicken/beans, fruit, green veggies, whole grains, and water. What to Feed Your Baby helps parents set their children up for a lifetime of healthy choicesāand say goodbye to picky eating forever!
Kindle $12.49, Paperback $2.44
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The Sleepeasy Solution: The Exhausted Parent’s Guide to Getting Your Child to Sleep from Birth to Age 5
by Jennifer Waldburger
In this much-needed, family-friendly guide, weary parents will learn to define their own individual sleep goals, those that work for their familyās schedule and style. They’ll create a customized “sleep planner” to ensure consistency with both parents as well as extended caregivers. (As an added bonus, they’ll even improve the readers’ relationships with their spouses with the “marriage-saver” section.) With comprehensive sections devoted to each stage of Baby and Toddler’s development, plus solutions to special circumstances like traveling, daylight saving’s time, moving to a “big kid bed” and multiples, The Sleepeasy Solution is a dream come true!
Kindle $12.99, $13.43 Paperback,Ā and available forĀ Free on AudibleĀ with subscription.
The Sh!t No One Tells You: A Guide to Surviving Your Baby’s First Year
by Dawn DaisĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā
A laugh-out-loud guide to the first year of motherhood, filled with helpful advice and wisdom from real moms and dads who aren’t at all afraid to tell it like it is. Best-selling author Dawn Dais, mother of two tiny terrors, is convinced that there is a reason for this lack of preparedness. She believes that a vast conspiracy exists to hide the horrific truth about parenting from doe-eyed expectant mothers who might otherwise abandon their babies in hospitals and run for it. Eschewing the adorableness that oozes out of other parenting books, Dais offers real advice from real moms-along with hilarious anecdotes, clever tips, and the genuine encouragement every mom needs in order to survive the first year of parenthood.Ā
Kindle $9.99, Paperback $12.39,Ā and available forĀ Free on AudibleĀ with subscription.
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Elevating Child Care: A guide to respectful parenting
by Janet LansburyĀ
āElevating Child Careā is a collection of 30 popular and widely read articles from Janetās website that focus on some of the most common infant/toddler issues: eating, sleeping, diaper changes, communication, separation, focus and attention span, creativity, boundaries, and more. Eschewing the quick-fix ātips and tricksā of popular parenting culture, Janetās insightful philosophy lays the foundation for a closer, more fulfilling parent/child relationship, and children who grow up to be authentic, confident, successful adults.
Kindle $5.25, Paperback $11.07,Ā and available forĀ Free on AudibleĀ with subscription.
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The Out-of-Sync Child (The Out-of-Sync Child Series) Revised Edition, Kindle Edition
by Carol Kranowitz (Author), Lucy Jane MillerĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā
The groundbreaking book that explains Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)–and presents a drug-free approach that offers hope for parents–now revised and updated. Does your child exhibit… Over-responsivity–or under-responsivity–to touch or movement? A child with SPD may be a “sensory avoider,” withdrawing from touch, refusing to wear certain clothing, avoiding active games–or he may be a “sensory disregarded,” needing a jump start to get moving.
Kindle $12.99, $1.25-$6 on Paperback,Ā and available forĀ Free on AudibleĀ with subscription.
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Be Prepared: A Practical Handbook for New Dads
by Gary Greenberg
An indispensable survival manual for guys entering the trenches of fatherhood, Be Prepared is loaded with one-of-a-kind insights, MacGyver-esque tips and tricks, and no-nonsense advice for mastering the first year as a dad. Finally, a book that teaches men all the things they really need to know about fatherhood…including how to: Change a baby at a packed sports stadium, create a decoy drawer full of old wallets, remote controls, and cell phones to throw baby off the scent of your real gear, stay awake (or at least upright) at work, and baby proof a hotel room in four minutes flat. Packed with helpful diagrams and detailed instructions, and delivered with a wry sense of humor, Be Prepared is the ultimate guide for sleep-deprived, applesauce-covered fathers everywhere.
Kindle $13.99, Paperback $10.98
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Cribsheet: A Data-Driven Guide to Better, More Relaxed Parenting, from Birth to Preschool
by Emily RosterĀ
As any new parent knows, there is an abundance of often-conflicting advice hurled at you from doctors, family, friends, and strangers on the internet. Armed with the data, Oster finds that the conventional wisdom doesn’t always hold up. She debunks myths around breastfeeding (not a panacea), sleep training (not so bad!), potty training (wait until they’re ready or possibly bribe with M&Ms), language acquisition (early talkers aren’t necessarily geniuses), and many other topics. She also shows parents how to think through freighted questions like if and how to go back to work, how to think about toddler discipline, and how to have a relationship and parent at the same time.
Kindle $14.99, Hardcover $12.99, Paperback $14.38,Ā and available forĀ Free on AudibleĀ with subscription. Ā Ā
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Your Babyās First Year (4th Ed.)
by American Academy of Pediatrics and Shelov M.D., Steven P.Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā
From the American Academy of Pediatrics, the nationās most trusted name in child care, comes Your Babyās First Year, the definitive all-in-one resource that provides authoritative advice on every aspect of infant care. Featuring new and expanded content, including the latest reports on cutting-edge research.
Kindle ā Mass Market Paperback – $4.85, Kindle $3.85, Paperback $11.45
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Expecting Better: Why the Conventional Pregnancy Wisdom Is Wrong–and What You Really Need to Know.
by Emily Oster
When award-winning economist Emily Oster was a mom-to-be herself, she evaluated the data behind the accepted rules of pregnancy, and discovered that most are often misguided and some are just flat-out wrong. Debunking myths and explaining everything from the real effects of caffeine to the surprising dangers of gardening, Expecting Better is the book for every pregnant woman who wants to enjoy a healthy and relaxed pregnancyāand the occasional glass of wine.
Kindle $11.99, Hardcover $10.99, Paperback $13.01
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The Healthy Pregnancy Book: Month by Month, Everything You Need to Know from America’s Baby Experts
by William and Martha Sears
THE HEALTHY PREGNANCY BOOK guides expectant mothers and fathers through all stages of pregnancy from preconception through birth, focusing on how to enhance the health of mother and the baby. How your baby is developing, and how you may be changing both emotionally and physically.
Kindle $10.99, Paperback $12.60,Ā and available forĀ Free on AudibleĀ with subscription.
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The Baby Book, Revised Edition: Everything You Need to Know About Your Baby from Birth to Age Two.
by William and Martha Sears Ā Ā Ā
Unrivaled in its scope and authority, The Baby Book presents a practical, contemporary approach to parenting that reflects the way we live today. The Searses acknowledge that there is no one way to parent a baby, and they offer the basic guidance and inspiration you need to develop the parenting style that best suits you and your child. Their book is a rich and invaluable resource that will help you get the most of of parenting — for your child, yourself, and for your entire family.
Kindle – $9.99, Paperback, $14.58,Ā and available forĀ Free on AudibleĀ with subscription.
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The Baby Whisperer Solves All Your Problems: Sleeping, Feeding, and Behavior–Beyond the Basics from Infancy Through Toddlerhood
by Tracy HoggĀ
Thousands of parents have asked the Baby Whisperer to help them solve their problems. With this book, you too can take advantage of the advice, insights, and parenting techniques from beloved child expert Tracy Hogg. āA problem is nothing more than a situation calling for a creative solution,ā she reminds us. āAsk the right questions and you’ll come up with the right answers.ā Once you learn how to translate banguage, the ābaby-languageā your infant uses to communicate needs, feelings, and opinions, you can see your child for who he or she really isāan understanding that will serve you well as your child blossoms into the toddler years
Kindle – $13.99, Paperback – $7.32
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Ina May Gaskin’s Guide to Childbirth
by Ina May Gaskin
What you need to know to have the best birth experience for you. Drawing upon her thirty-plus years of experience, Ina May Gaskin, the nationās leading midwife, shares the benefits and joys of natural childbirth by showing women how to trust in the ancient wisdom of their bodies for a healthy and fulfilling birthing experience. Based on the female-centered Midwifery Model of Care, Ina Mayās Guide to Natural Childbirth gives expectant mothers comprehensive information on everything from the all-important mind-body connection to how to give birth without technological intervention.
Kindle – $13.99, Paperback $9.39
The Girlfriends’ Guide to Pregnancy
by Vicki Iovine
The practical, comforting, honest, and hilarious bestseller for moms-to-be, with more than one and a half million copies in print! Your doctor gives you medical advice. Your mother buys you baby clothes. But who can give you the real skinny when youāre pregnant? Your girlfriends, of courseāat least, the ones whoāve been through the exhilaration and exhaustion, the agony and ecstasy of pregnancy. Four-time delivery room veteran Vicki Iovine talks to you the way only a best friend canāin the book that will go the whole nine months for every mother-to-be. In this revised and updated edition, get the lowdown on all those little things that are too strange or embarrassing to ask, practical tips, and hilarious takes on everything pregnant.
Kindle – $11.99, Paperback $10.86
Welcome to the Club: 100 Parenting Milestones You Never Saw Coming
by Raquel DāApice
This book shows what it’s like the first-time baby rolls off the bed/sofa/changing table, leaving mom or dad in a state of pure terror (it happens). These 100 rarely documented but all-too-realistic milestonesāsuch as “First Time Baby Says a Word You Didn’t Want Her to Say”āprovide comfort, solidarity, and comic relief for new parents. Laugh-out-loud relatable text and distinctive paper-cut illustrations of these “bad” parenting moments make this a must-have book for anyone entering the mysterious club of parenthood.
Kindle $7.51, Hardcover $11.97
The Baby Bump: 100s of Secrets to Surviving Those 9 Long Months
By Carley Roney
Becoming pregnant is hugely exciting, but with so many things to think about, it can also be a bit overwhelming. Ease all worries with The Baby Bump, a comprehensive guide that offers expert and real mom advice on surviving those all-important nine months. Featuring tips and advice on everything future moms really want to know including what is safe to eat, how the baby develops week by week, and what to expect in the delivery room reading this book is like chatting with a been-there, done-that best friend. The Baby Bump offers a wealth of fun features such as Birth Plan Checklists, a Kick Count Tracker, and a Work Your Wardrobe outfit assembly guideall wrapped in a bright, cheerful package. It’s the must-have resource for any mom-to-be
Kindle $1.99, Paperback $10.40
The Conscious Parent: Transforming Ourselves, Empowering Our Children
by Dr. Shefali Tsabery
Instead of being merely the receiver of the parents’ psychological and spiritual legacy, children function as ushers of the parents’ development. Parents unwittingly pass on an inheritance of psychological pain and emotional shallowness. To handle the behavior that results, traditional books on parenting abound with clever techniques for control and quick fixes for dysfunction.
Paperback $19.99 ($6.50 Promo), Kindle $11.60, and available forĀ Free on AudibleĀ with subscription.
The Wonder Weeks: A Stress-Free Guide to Your Baby’s Behavior (6th Edition) by Xaviera Plas, Dr. Frans X. Plooij and the late Dr. Hetty van de Rijt
With nearly 4 million downloads, The Wonder Weeks app is a must-have. The revised and updated book, with exclusive material, is the perfect companion or gift. What to expect the first 20 months? Leaps, leaps and more leaps! ten in all. Welcome to the fully-updated and revised 6th edition of the bookāwith 30% new materialāthat made āleapsā the buzzword for parents of young children worldwide. Fussy at 5 weeks? Cranky at 19-weeks? Clingy at a year? The baby must be approaching a leap, a time during which new skills are mastered, discoveries are made, and perceptions evolve. For new parents, being able to anticipate predictable fussy phasesāand the magic that followsāis a game-changer, courtesy of The Wonder Weeks.
Kindle $9.99, Paperback $13.99