To-be parents have so much to look forward to―dirty diapers, squeals of sorrow and joy, gurgling, and that oh-so-heavenly baby smell. There’s nothing as immaculate as a mother’s love, as she creates within her a life that is waiting to come forth. One must be prepared for what is to come, where the following list of must-read parenting books for new parents, will reveal much to expectant parents.
“Trust yourself. You know more than you think you do.”
― Benjamin Spock
You must be dissilient with joy to discover that you are about to have a baby (yay!). Parenthood is no walk in the park; it requires patience, understanding, and bountiful love. There’s so much to do and prepare for, before the baby arrives―you need to titivate a baby’s room, buy all sorts of newborn essentials, sign up for Lamaze classes, and baby-proof your home, among other things. While it may be exhausting to keep up with your baby’s demands and needs, the experience will be as miraculous as the conception itself.
There are all kinds of parenting books out there that promise to make it a smooth-sailing 9 months, but not many can effectually help you through the process. You’ll need to circumspect what you pick up from bookshelves that are replete with books begging for attention, where it’s always better to see what a larger audience has to say by reading reviews of to-be parents. No one can tell you better than a parent about which books helped them immensely, compared to others that lacked the substance to be of assistance.
Top Parenting Books for New Parents
The Portable Pediatrician, by William Sears, MD, et al.
This book serves as a lifesaver for to-be parents, where its 500 and more pages reveal everything you need to know on―illnesses, proper nutrition, home remedies, how to choose a baby doctor, school sports, allergic reactions, and more. Its exhaustive spread of helpful tidbits will come in handy no matter what situation is thrust into your lap. Because the book is gargantuan, parents should give it a leisurely read before the baby is born.
Stuff Every Mom Should Know, by Heather Gibbs Flett and Whitney Moss
Nothing is quite perfect than a book that covers every little detail that moms need to know about. New mommies are clueless about how to care for a baby, where their moms are more than happy to help. But sometimes you need a book to tell you about the sort of things your mother didn’t know of back then. From potty training and how to swaddle a baby, to quick meal preparations and birthday party arrangements―this read is revelatory.
Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth, by Ina May Gaskin
How about giving birth the old-fashioned way? Forget what modern-day “experts” say about childbirth and what it entails. Ina May Gaskin is a leading midwife with more than 30 years of experience when it comes to the intricacies of birthing. She elaborates on her many instances with mothers and offers golden advice that will definitely have you glued to every page that she lovingly fills with her wise words.
She offers invaluable tips on how to avoid postpartum depression and bleeding, work well with doctors and the like, give birth naturally, including the risks involved in cesarean and anesthesia-supplied childbirth. If parents are worried about what’s to come, this book will quell your troubles.
Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child, by Marc Weissbluth, M.D.
We know how difficult things are going to be, especially when it comes to a good night’s sleep. We’ve seen enough movies and heard enough stories of parents being awoken in the middle of the night, by the demanding shrill of their baby. Nothing to fear now with Weissbluth’s book on how to manage something as critical as nap time. He helps expectant parents deal with issues related to sleep, like how to deal with the crybaby syndrome, differentiate between day and night sleep patterns, outline a nap schedule, understand sleep cycles of quiet and hyperactive babies, and much more. Not only is Weissbluth a leading researcher and much sought-after expert, but a father of four who knows exactly what he’s talking about.
Teach Your Baby to Sign, by Monica Beyer
What can we say, this book is sensational! Baby signing is the talk of the town, especially with moms who want their babies to be more than just quitodian grownups. What exactly does that even mean, right? This book not only helps you teach your baby to sign-language, but to talk sooner, have a closer bond with you, cry less, articulate better, and eagerly engage in a love for books. What’s more, the book promises that once you and your baby master sign language, they’re more likely to have higher IQ scores and indulge in complex play.
A segment on Oprah featured the art of knowing how to sign language with a baby, where this monumental parenting crutch is still going strong. The book has colored photos of baby sign language and more than 200 signs that parents can make use of. You’ll find in the following list, an extension of must-read parenting books for new parents that you’ll not want to miss out on reading either.
• The Expectant Father
by Armin A. Brott and Jennifer Ash
• Reading Magic
by Mem Fox
• NurtureShock: New Thinking About Children
by Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman
• The Philosophical Baby
by Alison Gopnik
• What to Expect When You’re Expecting
by Heidi Murkoff and Sharon Mazel
• What to Expect the First Year
by Heidi Murkoff, Arlene Eisenberg, Sandee Hathaway
• Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother
by Amy Chua
• The 10 Basic Principles of Good Parenting
by Laurence Steinberg, Ph.D.
• The Secrets of Happy Families
by Bruce Feiler
• The Little Big Book for Moms
by Lena Tabori
• Einstein Never Used Flash Cards
by Kathy Hirsh Pasek, Ph.D., Roberta Michnick Golinkoff, Ph.D., with Diane Eyer, Ph.D.
• Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy
by Roger W. Harms
• Happier at Home
by Gretchen Rubin
• Dad’s Book of Awesome Projects
by Mike Adamick
• The Attachment Parenting Book
by William Sears, M.D. and Martha Sears, R.N.
• The Happiest Mom
by Meagan Francis
• Teach Your Children Well
by Madeline Levine, Ph.D.
• The Artful Parent
by Jean Van’t Hul
• Itsy Bitsy Yoga
by Helen Garabedian
• The Happiest Baby on the Block
by Harvey Karp
• Secrets of the Baby Whisperer
by Tracy Hogg and Melinda Blau
• Mind in the Making
by Ellen Galinsky
• Baby Proof
by Emily Giffin
• Bringing Up Bébé:
by Pamela Druckerman, Abby Craden
• Parenting with Love and Logic
by Foster W. Cline, MD and Jim Fay
• One and Only
by Lauren Sandler
• Papadaddy’s Book for New Fathers
by Clyde Edgerton
• Sleeping with Your Baby
by James J. McKenna, Ph.D.
• 150 Tips and Tricks for New Dads
by Vincent Iannelli
• The Honest Toddler
by Bunmi Laditan
• The Newbie’s Guide to Positive Parenting
by Rebecca Eanes
• Gentle Baby Care
by Elizabeth Pantley
• Screamfree Parenting
by Hal Edward Runkel, LMFT
• Learning to Listen
by T. Berry Brazelton, MD
• She’s Having a Baby―and I’m Having a Breakdown
by James Douglas Barron
• Be Prepared
by Gary Greenberg and Jeannie Hayden
• Dude, You’re Gonna Be a Dad!
by John Pfeiffer
• Father for Life
by Armin A. Brott
• Do I Look Like a Daddy to You?
by Quinton Skinner
• Twenty Days with Julian & Little Bunny By Papa
by Nathaniel Hawthorne and Paul Auster
I’m sure you’re hoping to be sapient enough to care for your newborn after reading these sine qua non parenting books. We’re certain that they’ll be of immense help, where you’re sure to learn a lot on the job. There’s no need to feel panicky for what’s to come, because it’s going to be one hell of a ride that you’re going to enjoy a little bit more each day.