Baby Books for the New Mom :: Three Books Every Home Needs

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I have a shelf full of baby books. They range from the classic What to Expect series to books on training children in spiritual matters to books about potty training

I’m expecting my fourth baby next spring, and my sister Emily is expecting her first around the same time (how fun is that?!). I told Emily I’d give her a list of must-read books, so this post’s for you sis! 

must have baby books Albuquerque Moms Blog

Whether you’re expecting your first baby or you’ve walked down this road a few times, here are three baby books that should be on every mama-to-be’s shelf. 

Bonus: these books are all non-judgmental and fairly neutral when it comes to religious convictions and parenting styles. So they’d also make great baby shower gifts! 

Baby Bargains by Denise and Alan Fields

First-time mommies, this book is a life saver. In a concise yet comprehensive way, Baby Bargains reviews the gear that you need for your coming baby. Big box stores and the internet are overwhelming with the sheer number of choices. This baby book looks at what you’ll need (or won’t need) and helps you find the best value for your needs. And one great thing about Baby Bargains is the safety-first mentality. Although a used crib or car seat could save you lots of money, this book will tell you why you might want to avoid those items.

The Science of Mom: A Research-Based Guide to Your Baby’s First Year by Alice Callahan, PhD

This baby book is on my list to re-read before my baby comes. The Science of Mom helps you make well-informed decisions regarding your baby’s first year of life. I wish I had had a copy of this when I was pregnant with my first baby!   

Callahan is a scientist and writes with an intelligent but approachable voice. What I love about this book is that she takes hot-button topics, such as breast-feeding, co-sleeping, and delayed cord-clamping, and then looks at what research has (or hasn’t!) said about these topics. And if you’re a nerd like me, you’ll be happy to know that Callahan is very transparent about her claims. Most chapters have upwards of 70 citations.

Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child by Marc Weissbluth, M.D. 

Who doesn’t want good sleep and a happy baby? I will definitely be revisiting portions of this book with baby #4. Dr. Weissbluth lays a thorough foundation for patterns of good sleep and then breaks the book down into smaller age brackets with lots of practical advice. I love this book because it’s fairly balanced and doesn’t shame you into any one sleep method. 

Especially with the littlest of babes, it’s so helpful to know what is reasonable to expect regarding sleep. Although the book is lengthy, it has a great index in the back. And the chapters are arranged by ages so it’s easy to find what you need.  

I hope you enjoy these three excellent baby books.  Happy reading!