What to Expect When You’re Expecting (2008) by Heidi Murkoff
This book is a pretty good monthly guide for your pregnancy. I would read parts of it to share with Dave as each month progressed and he seemed to learn a lot. I wouldn’t be too paranoid about using it as a strict guideline but the overviews do give you a general sense of what to expect (as the title indicates). Also the book has a great section in the back about potential complications, for those of you who are a bit worriesome.
Heading Home with Your Newborn: From Birth to Reality (2005) By Laura Jana and Jennifer Shu
I really like this book. This book got us through the first month of hell. It is easy to read and written with just enough detail if you procrastinated reading it until after the baby is born and you’re brain dead from sleep deprivation.
Nursing Mother’s Companion (2005 or whatever is the latest edition) by Kathleen Huggins
This book is a terrific in-depth guide to everything you need to know about breastfeeding. I like how the book is organized into months so you can read as much as you think you’re need and then return to it at a later date when your baby is older. This book has a great section in the back with medications and drugs to look out for when nursing. I go back and consult this book every once in awhile to this date. Any of the editions will be fine to read; the more recent ones just have more pictures and information on things like pumps and gadgets.
Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child (2005) by Marc Weisbluth
Please note that you should talk to your partner about which sleep training methods you want to try out based on how your child’s temperament develops. Note that this book may not be suitable for a colicky, preemie, or highly sensitive child.* If you decide that your baby has the right temperament, start off from day one with a plan on how to help your child learn necessary sleep skills by reading this book. This book offers advice on the range of approaches but ultimately advocates the “cry it out” method. I really like this book but if you’re not into studies and research that the author cites as evidence like I am, skip through and go straight to the how tos and anecdotal parts. Also be warned that the book isn’t very well organized so you’ll have to flip back and forth between sections a lot.
*In conjunction with this book you may want to read or at least skim books on other sleep training methods:
No-Cry Method: No Cry Sleep Solution: Gentle Ways to Help Your Baby Sleep Through the Night (2002) by Elizabeth Pantley and William Sears
Ferber or “Graduated” Method: Solve Your Child’s Sleep Problems: New, Revised, and Expanded Edition (2006) by Richard Ferber
Combined No-Cry/Ferber Method: Secrets of the Baby Whisperer: How to Calm, Connect, and Communicate with Your Baby (2005) by Tracy Hogg
Other coping strategies: The Happiest Baby On the Block: The New Way to Calm Crying and Help Your Newborn Sleep Longer (2003) by Harvey Karp
Raising Baby Green: The Earth-Friendly Guide to Pregnancy, Childbirth and Baby Care (2007) by Alan Greene
Even if you’re not into eco-friendly living, this book gives a wonderful overview of issues related to food, chemicals and potentially harmful substances that might affect your baby. Knowing some of this stuff before may be helpful especially if you find out that your baby has allergies or is sensitive to the environment and when you’re deciding what products to buy.
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