Becoming a first-time mom can be both exciting and overwhelming. With so much information out there, it can be difficult to know where to start. That’s why I’ve compiled a list of the best books for first time moms, filled with valuable advice, tips, and insights to help you navigate this new chapter in your life with confidence. Whether you’re looking for practical parenting tips, emotional support, or guidance on breastfeeding and sleep training, these top pregnancy books have got you covered!
I personally loved each of these books for different reasons and highly recommend these for whatever stage you are in. I wished I had read some of these BEFORE getting pregnant – there is so much I didn’t know! Sharing my favorite parenting/pregnancy books for first time moms and what you can gain from each. So grab a cup of tea, cozy up with a good book, and get ready to embark on this incredible journey towards motherhood.
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Bringing Up Bébé by Pamela Druckerman
“Bringing Up Bébé” by Pamela Druckerman is a must-read for first-time moms who are interested in learning about different parenting styles and approaches. This book takes a unique perspective by exploring the French parenting philosophy and how it differs from the American approach. Druckerman shares her personal experiences as an American raising her children in France and highlights the cultural differences in parenting practices. From teaching children to sleep through the night at an early age to encouraging independence and self-control, “Bringing Up Bébé” offers valuable insights and practical tips for navigating the challenges of motherhood. Whether you agree with the French parenting style or not, this book provides thought-provoking ideas and encourages readers to consider different perspectives on raising children.
Expecting Better by Emily Oster
“Expecting Better” by Emily Oster was one of my favorite books I read early on in my pregnancy. Osment is a researcher by trade and shares the actual science and data behind common things women are told during pregnancy. She shares detailed facts on things such as alcohol consumption, eating deli meat, and even gardening while pregnant. If you want to understand the “why” behind these recommendations and more, this book is perfect for you!
Cribsheet by Emily Oster
Another from the author of “Expecting Better”, Emily Oster’s “Cribsheet” is a data-backed guide to more relaxed parenting from birth to preschool. She goes over things like sleep training, feeding, language acquisition and more so you can see the data behind these topics. She discovers that much of the conventional parenting tips are wrong and allows you to understand the data to make the best choices for your family. I love that she never tries to tell you what to do, but instead arms you with the facts to draw your own conclusions.
What to Expect When You’re Expecting by Heidi Murkoff
“What to Expect When You’re Expecting” by Heidi Murkoff is a must-read for first-time moms. This classic pregnancy guide covers everything from conception to childbirth and beyond. With its month-by-month format, it provides valuable information on what to expect during each stage of pregnancy, including common symptoms, prenatal care, and preparing for labor and delivery. The book also addresses common concerns and questions that many expectant mothers have, such as nutrition, exercise, and dealing with pregnancy discomforts. With its reassuring tone and wealth of practical advice, “What to Expect When You’re Expecting” is a trusted resource that will help you navigate the ups and downs of pregnancy with confidence. It is basically the text book for pregnancy and surely someone will gift this to you.
Bumpin’ by Leslie Schrock
“Bumpin'” by Leslie Schrock was the first book I read when I found out I was pregnant. I wanted to know what to expect over the next year of my life and how it would look. This guide breaks down each trimester (including the 4th trimester) so you know what is expected at each stage of pregnancy from prenatal testing, doctors visits, delivery and even recovery! I also think this book would be really helpful if you are thinking about starting a family or currently trying to conceive. You don’t need to wait until your pregnant to start educating yourself! She covers tips for pregnancy planning as well.
The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding by La Leche League International
“The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding” by La Leche League International was recommended to me by one of the doctors/midwives at my health center. So of course I wanted to read anything they thought would be helpful! When you really start thinking about breastfeeding your baby, it’s a bit overwhelming. It sounds simple, but there is much more to it and so much to learn! I have been so fascinated by this book so far – you can read cover to cover like I am trying to do or use it as a reference guide.
Moms on Call by Laura Hunter & Jennifer Walker
“Moms on Call” is one of the most popular books that family and friends will recommend to you. Some people swear by it and others have said its terrible. Whether you choose to follow the advice in this book or not, it provides a wealth of information for what parenting a newborn might look like. I was curious about what my day might look like, how long I feed her, how often, what about pumping, how about sleeping, and this book gave me a good framework of what to expect as a first time mama!
Real Food for Pregnancy by Lily Nichols
“Real Food for Pregnancy” takes a deep dive into prenatal nutrition. With so much conflicting advice, this book provides evidence-based recommendations on what to eat and why for optimal nutrition for you and your baby. It might be easier said than done to eat this way, but hopefully there will be times when you feel well enough to eat your veggies! She also touches on exercise, supplements, and lab test so you can be prepared for anything that might arise during pregnancy. Lastly, there is a whole chapter on postpartum healing, breastfeeding, and physical/mental recovery.
Your Pregnancy and Childbirth by ACOG
“Your Pregnancy and Childbirth” was loaned to me by a friend and I wish I had referenced it sooner in my pregnancy. It was super helpful in the weeks leading up to my due date and preparing me for the birthing experience. It shared facts about everything that *could* happen in the delivery room. Looking back now after I had every type of medical intervention during delivery, this really prepared me to understand what the doctors were talking about!
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