June 19, 2014

Top 5 Pregnancy Must-Reads

I should start this out by saying that I am not a reader. Sure, I enjoy reading from time to time, but overall, I really wouldn't consider myself to be a bookworm at all.

I should also mention I am not a researcher. I don't care about the facts or tiny little details. Sometimes, for me, ignorance is bliss. Beau, on the other hand, needs to know every single little detail about any and everything. He's so inquisitive and such an analyzer and I'm thankful for that because, well, if it weren't for him, everything in my life would be an impulse decision and something tells me that's not the best way to live. 

Enter: pregnancy. Ah this little miracle that happens and you get all excited and wrapped up in a whirl of pink and blue when all of a sudden you think to yourself "Shit! I don't know anything about this!" but at the same time, you know deep down you probably shouldn't rely on Google for all your pregnancy questions either. 

If there's one thing I DO know, it's that you should never rely on Google (or the internet, in general) for any health concern matters. One time I Googled something about these little bumps Oakley was getting on her chin and by the time it was all said and done I was convinced she had a terminal illness and only had days to live. Turns out it was acne and it cleared up on its own...

Anyway, back to my point here. Perhaps pregnancy has changed me. Maybe it's just because I am happy to admit I literally know nothing about anything when it comes to sustaining a baby in my belly but over the past 7 months, I have come to learn that I thoroughly enjoy reading and researching all things pregnancy and baby-related. Though some things I'd rather not know about, like bloody shows, mucus plugs and needles the length of my forearm, the truth is, I need to know about them so I'm not surprised when any of these events inevitably occur over the next 12 weeks. 

After the first couple of weeks went by and the whole "Oh my gosh I'm pregnant?!" sensation went away, I started to realize I needed to learn stuff. All the stuff. I needed to know about as much as possible and I knew I needed to find books because I knew people were going to give me all kinds of advice and I wanted the facts. Cold, hard facts. So where did I turn? Well the holy grail of all things...Pinterest. What did I learn? Not much.

So thanks to all the other lovely mommas-to-be that I know in real life and on Instagram, I was able to figure out which books I felt were the most important for me to read. If you are newly pregnant, or plan on being pregnant in the next year or so, I hope you find this helpful!



Baby 411: I've heard about this book for a while now and finally picked up a copy. It's almost like a baby manual, if you will, that helps you in just about every category: picking a pediatrician, first aid, nutrition, sleep safety, etc. This would be a good book to keep around at all time to refer to as certain issues arise. (Also see: you don't have to sit down and read the entire book in one sitting...you can kind of read as you go. My kinda book!) ;)

The Happiest Baby on the Block: I am loving this book. Though I'm only about halfway done, I love how the author helps you understand the reason for colicky babies and how you can soothe them from crying all day, every day. He really drives home the point that human babies are just born too early, and that we should actually carry them for another 3 months ("The 4th Trimester", as he calls it) so that they can continue to develop but because we are physically (and mentally) unable to, he explains all the different techniques to make your baby think and feel that they are still in the womb for another 3 months so that you (and baby) can survive that 4th trimester, outside of your belly.

Belly Laughs: LOVE LOVE LOVE. I read this book while we were on our babymoon and I literally finished it within hours. I adore how Jenny McCarthy is so lighthearted throughout the entire book, yet so open and honest. She discusses topics that you would swear should be illegal, but she makes it so humorous and reminds you that woman have been giving birth for centuries and you can do it, too! Though I read this one halfway through my second trimester and loved it, it really is a great read for anyone newly pregnant and/or still in their first trimester.

What To Expect When You're Expecting: My sister-in-law is letting me borrow this book and it has been incredibly informative. I enjoy it because, like I said before, I'm not a reader and because it's broken down by trimesters and months, I just read the chapters as they apply to me, rather than reading the entire book all at once. It helps you understand what's going on with baby, how he/she is developing, what's going on with your body (internally and externally) and what you can expect (duh) throughout the entire pregnancy journey.

The Vaccine Book: This is a new one for me and though I'm only into the first few chapters, I am loving how informative Dr. Sears is and that it's based on neutral grounds. Working in natural healthcare, and going to a mainstream medical doctor, I 100% understand how controversial vaccines can be so I'm not here to say I'm not vaccinating my child. I am simply reading this book to understand what all these vaccines are, why they're going to be given to my baby and the risks that come with or without receiving them so that when the time comes, Beau and I can make an educated decision as to what's best for us and our baby girl.

Next on my list to find is some sort of breastfeeding book. Besides pushing an 8 pound human being out of my hoo-ha, breastfeeding is second on my list of "Things I am absolutely terrified of". Any recommendations, ladies?!

Do you know of any other pregnancy, birthing, breastfeeding and/or baby-raising books I should read?! I am completely open to reading more and more about all this so that I can be as informed as possible!!


21 comments:

  1. I am in my second trimester and also am not a reader and am pretty clueless on how to raise a child as well. I picked up What to Expect and am enjoying reading it month by month. I also picked up Belly Laughs for our trip this weekend and can't wait to read it while laying by the pool. I am also in search of a good breastfeeding book so let me know if you get any good suggestions!

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  2. I'm not sure about a breastfeeding book but here is what I learned as a first time momma (my babe is almost 4 months now). It is going to HURT. and it's going to be HARD. BUT if you can make it past 2-3 weeks you are golden!!! Just take it one feeding at a time one day at a time. It gets better and it is sooo worth it if you can make it work. My doc told me not to use a pump for a week or two because "It's too much work" but if I could do it all over again I would have started using it earlier... sometimes the baby doesn't empty you out enough and when your ta tas are soo sore already extra weight and pressure of extra milk is so not cool! Just pumping after I fed him once or twice a day helped a ton! Also- I had a lactation consultant on speed dial and she was such a great, understanding source of information... one trick she told me was to put cabbage leaves inside your bra... they are cold and keep you from getting cracked nipples. Totally weird but totally helped!! Good luck you will do great! Love your blog :)

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  3. Yes, I absolutely have one any new parents should read! I'm not a big reader either but my Pediatrician told me over and over to read "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child" by Marc Weissbluth. I never read it with my son (horrible sleeper) and then broke down and read it with my daughter (and she turned out to be an amazing sleeper!). Of course we all want our kids to sleep at night but this book goes further at why it's important to get them into that deep sleep every night, what it does for their growing, etc. There's so much more to it than 'I'm exhausted, I want my baby to sleep!'... it was really informative and helpful!

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  4. So far i've read the Girlfriend's Guide to Pregnancy which is good for newly preggo mommas, and lately i've been reading Baby Bargains since we're about to buy baby's furniture and register. It's by the same authors of the Baby 411 book i think...

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  5. I LOVE the Happiest Baby on the Block. I have a degree in Child Development and worked for 7 years in child care and this was a constant guide for me. I always recommend it to my girlfriends and own a marked up copy of my own.

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  6. Well of course I just had to purchase some books from Amazon ;) You have a couple that I haven't had on my list.

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  7. I didn't read the vaccine one or the Baby 411, but I love your other choices! Another really good one is The Mommyhood. Loved that one as well! :)

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  8. I would highly recommend Moms on Call! Our son was colicky and would cry from 5pm to 10pm every. single. night. He wasn't sleeping very well and something had to change. I found Moms on Call on a blog and never looked back. Sam was sleeping through the night at 6 weeks old and has been a wonderful sleeper ever since. It really does make sense to put a child on a schedule and use some of the techniques they suggest (swaddling, routines, etc.) Also my pediatrician recommended the book, "So That's What They're For,' for breastfeeding. I didn't read it and I failed miserably at bf'ing. Next kiddo, I am reading all I can and I will definitely read this one.

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  9. The breastfeeding book by La Leche League is great. I had borrowed it and already returned it or I would have lent it to you also. There may also be La Leche League groups around you that are supportive and helpful I've heard.

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  10. babywise is very focused on nursing and scheduling. I really like the information, but it is a tad boring!

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  11. I highly recommend Breastfeeding Made Simple! You can borrow my copy if you want. I can mail it to you. It is a very loving and empowering book. It does get a little preachy at times, but I really think it was the only book that made me feel less scared about it. Kennedy successfully nursed over 1 year. I don't recommend babywise, simply because I don't like the cry it out thing. But I do agree with Happiest Baby on the Block (read for when she's a newborn) and Healthy Sleep Habits, happy child. Happiest Baby on the block has a DVD that you and Beau can both watch together and it covers all the information in and hour. I think I have that around here somewhere, too, if you want to borrow it.

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  12. I love what to expect! I always go back to it when I have a question my hubby too. My husband bought me Belly Bumps by Snooki (Nicole) and I have to say I was really surprised about how real she was about her pregnancy and even her man participated in a chapter or two. I highly recommend it, you will relate to her and get some major laughs too.

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  13. I have heard AMAZING things about Baby Wise. I have 5 1/2 weeks left and it's sitting on my night stand (not yet opened) But it's a step by step guide on how to naturally train your baby to sleep through the night. Sounds like a winner to me! =)

    craftingafairytale.blogspot.com

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  14. First let me say I am all for breastfeeding if you can....but if you can't there is no shame in getting a bottle and some formula! Some new mom's just really put themselves and their babies through way too much just trying to breast feed. I wanted to so bad...but I had twins born early and my milk never came in...I used formula and they are very healthy happy babes! Do what is right for your child and your situation but never let it make you feel less than if you just can't!

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  15. My friends have sworn by a book called "Do Chocolate Lovers Have Sweeter Babies: The surprisng science of pregnancy." Less of a manual, more of a fun read about the weird and strange scientific happenings!

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  16. I haven't found a good breastfeeding book, but I did find this: http://newborns.stanford.edu/Breastfeeding/ABCs.html#GettingStarted and it was so informative!!

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  17. I haven't found a good breastfeeding book, but I did find this and thought it was super informative! http://newborns.stanford.edu/Breastfeeding/ABCs.html#GettingStarted

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  18. I also loved reading all the books when I was pregnant. Worth reading Gina Ford too - a great idea on routine and sticking to schedules… x

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  19. Note to self: do NOT google mucus plug....

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  20. First of all, I LOVE mucus plugs. They are so disgusting and weird and absolutely crack me up - but I am not normal.

    I love all these books! I prefer the Girlfriends Guide to Pregnancy over belly laughs because I thought it was more informative while still being hilarious, so definitely read that one if you haven't!!!

    And I give Happiest Baby on the Block and Bringing Up Bebe full credit for Kenley sleeping through the night at 5 weeks.

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  21. My friend recommended "So That's What They're For" by Janet Tamaro. She said it is funny, easy to read, and informative. I haven't picked up a copy but plan to soon!

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