Top books & resources for Pregnancy
As someone who recommends books, the vast majority of requests I get through friends, family, and our Instagram community are 1) Confidence / women related topics at work and 2) Motherhood. The Motherhood category generally falls under, “OMG I’m pregnant - what the heck do I read to calm my nerves and empower me with knowledge?” As requested, here is my round up for top reads, follows, and resources for when you find yourself expecting! Make sure you’re subscribed to our newsletters to not miss my next post on Top Resources for the 1st year of Parenting!
Books:
Anything and everything from Emily Oyster. She is a MUST FOLLOW on Instagram but I’d also try to read her book, “Expecting Better” as soon as you find out you’re pregnant. She is an Economics professor that has built a career around helping families make data-driven decisions in all things pregnancy and parenthood. Her other books - Cribsheet and Family Firm - are must reads as well but can wait a little while into pregnancy or parenthood.
Becoming Mama by Motherly. There are lots of books you can read that have day by day or week by week insights into your pregnancy. Especially for your first, these are really special, help you feel connected to baby, and be in the know of what’s happening in your body. The Becoming Mama book I find really well balanced between the beautiful/”fluffy” pregnancy books and the balanced, science-based books. Best of both worlds in my opinion.
Brain Rules for Baby, by John Media. I wish this book was required reading for parents and non-parents alike. Again, science-based insights and advice on pregnancy and parenthood. My husband read this book and now recommends it to all his friends expecting. You can read this book and learn about yourself, your parents, and think through what you want to lean into while building the type of parent you want to be.
The Baby Whisperer - great for feeding schedules or insights on following a “schedule” for wake windows. Don’t read the whole thing - read the first few chapters and have it help inform conversations around the categories at the bottom of this page. Pick and choose what aligns with your family!
Precious Little Sleep - I read over 10 books on baby sleep. Tons of different perspectives and methodologies. I kind of took from those and built what we felt comfortable with for our baby. This book though made the list because it’s fun to read. Like will actually make you laugh while reading - which is needed in parenthood. Great insights but really just gives tired parents or soon-to-be parents a good guide on things they can expect and things they can try.
Follows/ Resources:
First…. Who not to follow…..
Who you follow on social platforms is SUCH a personal choice. During every stage in life, but particularly during pregnancy when you’re experiencing things for the first time, I’d highly recommend doing a social audit. This doesn’t mean you have to even unfollow people, but muting is a great tool. Personally, it isn’t healthy or helpful for me to follow fitness influencers ever on social but particularly when I’m pregnant. There is so much on the internet giving bad, unscientific advice with the consequences heightened when it comes to being pregnant. Do yourself a HUGE mental favor and only follow those who bring you light, positivity, true insight, and center you. You can also follow-back after pregnancy.
Some of my favorite people to follow for PREGNANCY and their associated resources:
Karrie Locher. She has a few awesome courses for purchase. Her approach to feeding a baby is so great - breastfeeding, pumping, formula - she’s nonjudgemental, actually helpful, and super knowledgable. Former Peds nurse, so she knows her stuff and mom of 4.
Taking Cara Babies. I really benefitted from her Newborn course. Extremely helpful with knowing wake windows, sleep cues, debunking myths of our parent’s generation about sleep, and helping us chart a plan for our family.
The Sleep Ranch Another great sleep resource. She’s a great follow but she also has smaller, more ad-hoc topics for purchase if you’re looking for advice on one particular area.
Peds Doc Talk. She also has a great podcast, if that’s more your thing. I have not taken any of her courses but I overall like her approach of balanced, informed decision-making.
Safe in the Seat. An expert in car seat safety - a must follow! She also has an online course but I think you can get all the needed info from her insta page, if you check out highlights. So grateful for this info and how accessible it is to keep our babies safe!
Kim Perry. Remember when I said I don’t follow fitness influencers? I actually don’t follow her on social but I do really love her course you can purchase. Between this course and free youtube pregnancy yoga - I felt supported and guided through my first pregnancy.
Apps:
Flo, What to Expect, and The Bump are my favs
What to discuss with your partner BEFORE baby arrives:
Safety. (CPR, choking, first aid, route to hospital planned, have list of your doctors, etc.) Lots of online resources or in-person courses available. Ask your OBGYN for recommendations.
Feeding. What is your plan to feed your baby? Sounds simple but if you don’t cut out all the noise from your friends, family, and the internet - you will be overwhelmed! Breastfeed, pump, formula - get on the same page as to what Plan A, B, and C are and know what support structures are there ahead of time. Make a list of lactation consultants, feeding specialists, etc. so if something isn’t going to plan, you’ll have those resources ready to contact. Do you plan to feed on-demand, via a schedule, etc. Have a plan. Be very FLEXIBLE with that plan but have one.
Sleep. Wake windows, where baby will nap, any other circumstances around napping you find important to you? Communicate with your parent and support people that will be visiting after baby is born so all are on the same page.
How to track those first few weeks? Tons of apps out there like Huckleberry that can track feeds, sleeps, etc. but I liked good ole’ pen and paper best. Some babies need extensive tracking those first few weeks due to weight gain concerns or your pediatrician might ask to see this type of information the first few weeks.
My biggest advice:
I read 19 while I was pregnant with my first. 19. After three weeks postpartum, legit probably couldn’t remember 90% of what I read. If I could go back, yes, I’d read probably 5 of those but in reality, my biggest advice to expecting parents - sleep. Go on dates with your partner. See your friends. Watch stupid TV shows. Enjoy your ability to do whatever you want, whenever you want. Nap. Nap more. Meal prep - add some easy meals to your freezer to make the first couple weeks easier. Touch base with friends you haven’t spoken to in a while and if they don’t have kids, be real with them about what the next year could look like in terms of your availability and support you’d want or need. Just center yourself on yourself. Be ready to accept what will be in this new chapter and know you’re the best parent for that baby there is. <3