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Becoming a parent for the first time is a very exciting phase. Dreaming about your future with the baby, shopping for cute little things and watching your little one grow every day can preoccupy your mind and day from the moment you are pregnant. 

Of course, there is the tough part – not knowing what to do in so many situations during pregnancy and after childbirth. Once the baby is born, you will barely have any time to sleep, let alone research about which books to read. Most probably, you might not get much time to read a book in the first few months after your baby is born. So it is a good idea to grab those extremely helpful books well in advance and be prepared with the answers to so many questions that you might soon have. 

While most expectant people read books related to pregnancy and childbirth while they are pregnant, we recommend reading books about newborns and life as a new parent as well. It would help to know what to do when your baby cries, has difficulty latching, how to change nappies, bathe a newborn, etc. so that you are almost in control and don’t feel helpless when a situation arises. If only babies came with a user manual, right? 

Here is a list of the best books that are a great resource to keep you well-informed about almost everything you need to know as a parent-to-be and new parent: 

1.What No One Tells You: A Guide to Your Emotions from Pregnancy to Motherhood by Dr. Alexandra Sacks and Dr. Catherine Birndorf – This book helps you with the emotional aspects of pregnancy and is written by two of America’s top reproductive psychiatrists. 

2.Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth – Ina May Gaskin shares everything you need to know about natural childbirth, postpartum depression and mind-body connection. 

3.Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy: From Doctors Who Are Parents, Too! – This guide compiled by Mayo Clinic’s obstetrics experts helps you make informed decisions on everything from selecting a healthcare provider to dealing with pregnancy symptoms, preterm labour and being pregnant with preexisting medical conditions. 

4.Baby 411: Clear Answers & Smart Advice for Your Baby’s First Year by Dr. Ari Brown & Denise Fields – A very helpful book for first-time parents guiding them with everything they need to know during the first year of being a parent. 

5.The Happiest Baby on the Block by Dr. Harvey Karp – This book is a must for all new parents as the author shares simple techniques to soothe a crying baby and to keep a baby calm and happy. 

6.What to Expect When You’re Expecting by Heidi Murkoff – This book covers everything from preconception planning to birthing options and coping with pregnancy symptoms. 

7.Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Newborn: The Complete Guide: Penny Simkin, April Bolding, Ann Keppler, Janelle Durham, Janet Whalley – The comprehensive guide for would-be and new parents covers all aspects from pregnancy to early infancy, and prepares you to make informed decisions. 

8.The Pregnancy Countdown Book: Nine Months of Practical Tips, Useful Advice, and Uncensored Truths by Susan Magee and Kara Nakisbendi – The book counts down all the important milestones during pregnancy and is complete with details, tips, anecdotes and quotes. 

9.The Expectant Father: The Ultimate Guide by Armin A. Brott and Jennifer Ash Rudick – This one’s for the dads-to-be! It deals with how pregnancy progresses each month, the finances to take care of, supporting the partner and getting ready for the fatherhood journey. 

10.The Baby Book: Everything You Need to Know About Your Baby from Birth to Age Two – This book is written by medical professionals who are also parents of eight children. The book is a great resource with every bit of information that new parents would need to care better for their baby. 

Worrying about whether what you are doing is right or not is normal for every expectant and every new parent. But count on the above books trusted across the world and you will be in a much better position to deal with the challenges of pregnancy and parenting.

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