Speaking of\u00a0birth…If you are expecting a\u00a0sweet bundle of love or already have one,\u00a0here are a few great books to add to your library.<\/p>\n
Preparing for Birth<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Birthing from Within<\/strong>\u00a0<\/a>by Pam England –\u00a0Good resource\u00a0for preparing for the spiritual and physical reality of childbirth without creating anxiety in the reader. It’s one of the only books I read on the subject\u00a0that explores\u00a0a woman’s expectations of childbirth and\u00a0offers a review of options\u00a0without condemning the reader if she has chosen a hospital birth. If you’re going to buy a book on the topic, skip the “What to expect…” books (they list everything that can possibly go wrong – like your mind doesn’t explore these possibilities already!)\u00a0and just read this one.<\/p>\n If you’re looking for a month by month or week by week update on what’s going on with your body and your baby, there are some great – FREE – online tools that aren’t so scary!<\/p>\n The Breastfeeding Mother’s Guide to Making More Milk<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong>, Foreward by Martha Sears, RN – I realize this is not technically a birth book but it’s something you should read before having your baby. Breastfeeding may be natural but that doesn’t mean it’s always a walk in the park. Speaking as a mom who wanted desperately to breastfeed but had some major issues both times, I fell in love with this book and only wish I’d had it before my babies arrived. It is the most comprehensive guide to the mechanics of breastfeeding and supplemental options that I’ve ever read (and believe me, I’ve done my homework!!). If you buy one book on breastfeeding, this should be the one.<\/p>\n Herbal for the Childbearing Year<\/strong><\/a>, Susan Weed.\u00a0Great book on healthy herbs for moms\u00a0before, during and after pregnancy. Susan Weed is definitely a very earthy person but has an encyclopedic level of knowledge about herbs.\u00a0I refer to this book frequently.<\/p>\n After your baby arrives<\/strong><\/em>
\n
\n<\/a>The Baby Book<\/strong>\u00a0<\/a>– Dr. William Sears and Martha Sears R.N. – I love this book for those middle of the night moments when\u00a0your baby is crying and you’re trying not to freak out. It is a sort of middle of the road book – empowering parents to\u00a0understand basic stages of\u00a0growth and\u00a0common\u00a0baby ailments.\u00a0Dr. Sears does advocate immunization but also gives parents great advice on what to do before heading to the doctor. I’ve saved a lot of money skipping unnecessary doctor visits (you know the, “It’s just a virus” ones?) with this book. Besides running their own successful pediatric practice,\u00a0this couple has\u00a0raised eight children of their own!\u00a0One of their sons is on the show called “The Doctors<\/em>“.<\/p>\n