I share a lot about what I'm reading in regards to motherhood over on my Instagram (@motherhoodgrace) and inevitably, there are DM's "What was that book that had activities for toddlers?" or "What was the name of that book you posted yesterday?"
Hence, a big motherhood book round-up. I'm going to comment & color-code the ones that I have thoroughly loved and enjoyed most, but all books are suggested BY other moms FOR moms.
All books can be found HERE in my Amazon Shop.
I am an Amazon affiliate so ordering through my shop does not cost you more, but contributes to my small business. I appreciate your support!
Enjoy... and add your recommendations too!
Fertility / Pregnancy / Labor
Mama Natural Week-by-Week Guide to Pregnancy & Childbirth by Genevieve Howland
Really love the format of this book and all of it's content. I took Genevieve's birth course and was able to be induced at a hospital and give birth with no pain medication!
Awakening Fertility: The Essential At of Preparing for Pregnancy by Heng Ou, Amely Greeven, Marisa Belger
Taking Charge of Your Fertility: The Definitive Guide to Natural Birth Control, Pregnancy Achievement and Reproductive Health by Toni Weschler
This book comes highly recommended for fertility education!
How to Conceive Naturally: And Have a Healthy Pregnancy after 30 by Christa Orecchio and Willow Buckley
Real Food for Pregnancy: The Science and Wisdom of Optimal Prenatal Nutrition by Lily Nichols
Real Food for Gestational Diabetes: An Effective Alternative to the Conventional Nutrition Approach by Lily Nichols
Ina May's Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin
Birth without Fear: The Judgement-Free Guide to Taking Care of Your Pregnancy, Birth and Postpartum by January Harshe
Nurture: A Modern Guide to Pregnancy, Birth, Early Motherhood and Trusting Yourself and Your Body by Erica Chili Cohen and Jillian Ditner
Mothering from Your Center: Tapping Your Body's Natural Energy for Pregnancy, Birth, and Parenting by Tami Lynn Kent
My Sisters the Saints: A Spiritual Memoir by Colleen Carroll Campbell
Postpartum
The First Forty Days: The Essential Art of Nourishing the New Mother by Heng Ou, Amely Greeven, Marisa Belger
Love the honor this book gives to ancient practices of postpartum.
The Postnatal Depletion Cure: A Complete Guide to Rebuilding Your Health and Reclaiming Your Energy for Mothers of Newborns, Toddlers, and Young Children by Dr. Oscar Serrallach
Highly recommended book for mothers who are healing
Good Moms have Scary Thoughts: A Healing Guide to the Secret Fears of New Mothers by Karen Kleinman
An amazing accessible book full of activities, colorful "cartoons" - not necessarily a textbook style which makes it very easy to pick up and browse in the early postpartum days.
Ina May's Guide to Breastfeeding by Ina May Gaskin
The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding by Diane Wiessinger
The Fourth Trimester: A Postpartum Guide to Healing Your Body, Balancing Your Emotions, and Restore Your Vitality by Kimberly Ann Johnson
Healing Your Body Naturally After Childbirth: The New Mom's Guide to Navigating the Fourth Trimester by Dr. Jolene Brighten
This Isn't What I Expected: Overcoming Postpartum Depression by Karen Kleiman and Valerie Davis Raskin
Breathe Mama Breathe: 5-Minute Mindfulness for Busy Moms by Shonda Moralis
Great with Child: Letters to a Young Mother by Beth Ann Fennelly
Cherish the First Six Weeks: A Plan that Creates Calm, Confident Parents and a Happy, Secure Baby by Helen Moon
The Aware Baby by Aletha Jauch Solter
Postpartum Grace Guide: A Day-by-Day Message + Journal for the First Six Weeks of Motherhood by Kate Markovitz ;) -- c'mon I had to sneak this in right?! Not on amazon, purchase here!
Newborn / Toddler / Parenting
The Awakened Family: How to Raise Empowered, Resilient and Conscious Children by Sefali Tsabary
This book was life-changing for me... in my relationships, myself, the way I view parenthood. Cannot recommend it enough.
Elevating Child Care: A Guide to Respectful Parenting by Janet Lansbury
No Bad Kids: Toddler Discipline Without Shame by Janet Lansbury
The two books above by Janet Lansbury are must-reads. I love everything she has put out about parenting, it has impacted my approach tenfold!
The Montessori Toddler: A Parent's Guide to Raising a Curious and Responsible Human Being by Simone Davies
LOVE this book for activities and approaching the toddler years.
The Wonder Weeks: How to Stimulate Your Baby's Mental Development and Help Him Turn His 10 Predictable, Great, Fussy Phases into Magical Leaps Forward by Rans X Plooij and Hetty van de Rijt
This book has an accompanying app - I actually found the app to be useful enough!
The Vaccine-Friendly Plan: Dr. Paul's Safe and Effective Approach to Immunity and Health from Pregnancy Through Your Child's Teen Years by Dr. Paul Thomas and Jennifer Margulis
The Gardener and the Carpenter by Alison Gopnik
The Magic of Motherhood: The Good Stuff, the Hard Stuff, and Everything in Between by Ashlee Gadd
A Life's Work: On Becoming a Mother by Rachel Cusk
Risen Motherhood: Gospel Hope for Everyday Moments by Emily Jensen and Laura Wifler
The Whole-Brain Child by Daniel Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson
Present Over Perfect: Leaving Behind Frantic for a Simpler, More Soulful Way of Living by Shauna Niequist
Not motherhood related necessarily, I have read this many times to help with mindset!
Simplicity Parenting: Using the Extraordinary Power of Less to Raise Calmer, Happier, and More Secure Kids by Kim John Payne and Lisa M Ross
Motherhood So White: A Memoir of Race, Gender, and Parenting in America by Nefertiti Austin
Raising Your Spirited Child by Mary Sheedy Kurcinka
The Four Tendencies by Gretchen Rubin
The 5 Love Languages for Kids by Gary Chapman
Body Belief: How to Heal Autoimmune Diseases, Radically Shift Your Health, and Love Your Body More by Aimee E Raupp
Carry On, Warrior: The Power of Embracing Your Messy, Beautiful Life by Glennon Doyle
All books can be found HERE in my Amazon Shop.
Don't forget to share your favorites too!