I often get asked for books to read while trying to conceive (TTC) or pregnant. Most people these days want:
to read just a few books
that are interesting
and give you some facts
but maybe not too many…
…and don’t scare the heck out of you
The following books are PRIYApproved! I think they will leave you feeling empowered and mildly prepared. Because nothing can actually prepare you for that #sleepdeprivationlife
I recommend splitting the books you read between partners and only overlapping what you read if it’s important for both people to understand the details of a topic. This will save you time and guilt for not reading a giant pile of books.
If you split reading, summarize what you read or bookmark especially important chapters for your partner.
You’ll learn a lot of the practical caring for baby advice from your prenatal classes and from that app you download that shows you what size your baby is in fruit and vegetable photos.
These books all talk about other things besides baby care tips and what the anatomy and physiology of what’s happening in your body is. You’ll want to read these books if you’re looking for practical, research based tips that are not a snoozefest.
If you only read THREE BOOKS here are the ones I recommend. If you’re going to split the reading I would recommend the pregnant person read #1, the partner read #3 and you both read #2!
Real Food For Pregnancy, Lily Nichols My pregnancy bible!! What to eat, vitamins to take, chemicals to avoid while pregnant and nursing/postpartum. Research based. Excellent. Referred back to this a bunch throughout pregnancy.
Expecting Better, Emily Oster Answers questions that you might have based on research and statistics. Questions like “must I avoid sushi during pregnancy?” or “how likely is it that I will have a miscarriage?” and “No runny egg yolks or deli sandwiches for 9 months?!”
Happiest Baby on the Block, Harvey Karp Super helpful and practical advice on how to calm down a crying, screaming baby. This book saved us on so many levels. Also get an exercise ball and some velcro swaddles. Stat.
Additional books in order of relevance/how much we used the information from them:
Birth Partner, Penny Simkin The person/people in the delivery room with you should read this, skim it or at least read certain chapters to know what is going to happen during labor and delivery, and how to help the person in labor.
Crib Sheet, Emily Oster Similar to Expecting Better, but for the next set of life challenges after the baby comes out. Data driven guide to answer questions on parenting from birth to pre-school.
The Expectant Father, Armin A. Brott & Jennifer Ash A lot of books for dads are…not ideal. This one is a top recommendation from several of my friends.
Bringing Up Bebe, Pamela Druckerman This author has a summary list of her book, consisting of 100 tips in list format called Bebe Day by Day. It’s a really fast read on how to incorporate some French/European style baby rearing tips into your life. I suggest reading the cliffs notes version - Bebe Day by Day - instead of the full book to save time.
The First 40 Days, Amely Greevan, Heng Ou & Marisa Belger Nobody focuses on moms these days! Or at least not enough people. This book shares some recipes, ideas and philosophies around caring for mom and baby gently, especially in the first 40 days postpartum (the 4th trimester)
Cherish the First Six Weeks, Helen Moon Having a newborn is super confusing; this easy and quick read gives you examples of schedules your baby may follow and how to enjoy the first 6 weeks and be present with baby.
Top two parenting books to start you off.
Most parenting books have such extreme views and real parenting is a combination of strategies that speak to the balance of the joys and madness of life with children. These two books are more realistic and offer practical suggestions and things to think about…so that you’re not in the moment when your baby unknowingly bites you or pulls on an electric cord for the first time and you SCREAM or freak out because you haven’t thought about how to react & handle these situations.
How to Raise an Adult: Break Free of the Over-parenting Trap & Prepare Your Kid for Success, Julie Lythcott Haims Former Dean of Stanford shares stories about how over-parenting has had an effect on college kids and people who have just graduated from college - and what to do about it.
The Conscious Parent, Shefali Tsabary Practical tips on how to avoid making the same mistakes your parents did raising you and how to confront your own issues so that you can “parent better.” I also like her book Out of Control: Why Disciplining your Child Won’t Work - And What Will.
Top two books on baby/child nutrition that I wished I had read while I had time before having a baby!
The 6 month mark when you likely begins solids comes up faster than you can imagine, though it doesn’t feel like it during the first few months of baby’s life when every day feels like a year…
Super Nutrition for Babies, Katherine Erlich & Kelly Genzlinger (read the revised version) Shares how babies used to eat before convenience foods took over and how to incorporate traditionally cooked and prepared foods to incorporate in your child’s diet to develop a healthy, adventurous eater with a strong immune system. I do not think all of the tips in this book are practical, though I love most of the book. Example: I am not making my own formula. That’s where I draw the line.
Real Food for Mother and Baby, Nina Planck Great ways to incorporate real food (vs. packaged, processed) into pregnant moms who are growing humans, and then for their babies once they are ready to eat “solids.”
Top two books for trying to conceive (TTC):
Real Food For Pregnancy, Lily Nichols This book is so amazing it’s on this list twice.
Taking Charge of Your Fertility, Toni Weschler Why don’t we learn this stuff in high school? I didn’t know you could only get pregnant during such a short window each month. Nor did I know you could track ovulation by noticing simple changes in your body. I know at least 5 couples who got pregnant after reading this and understanding the way the reproductive system and cycle works. Including me!
Extra credit: How to harness the power of the developing brain to raise kind, calm, confident & curious children.
Happy Reading!
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