Best Books for New Moms: Your Ultimate Guide to Motherhood

In search of guidance during your journey through motherhood? We’ve got your back at every stage, offering a selection of the best books for new moms. If you’re on the hunt for some fresh additions to the pregnancy and parenting section of your bookshelf, look no further.

Here, we’ve compiled a list of the best newborn books for first-time moms to accompany you as you navigate the next chapter of this incredible journey.

List of the Best Books for First-Time Moms

Ranging from cheerful to profoundly touching, there exists a plethora of the best books for first-time parents, suited to match every emotional state, moment, and preference.

Explore a curated collection of our top picks:

50 Things To Do Before You Deliver: The First-Time Mom Guide for Your Baby, Your Body and Your Sanity by Jill Krause

A pragmatic gem authored by a seasoned mother of four, this book doesn’t beat around the bush. It sifts through the avalanche of pregnancy guidance and distills it into the fifty most crucial aspects to keep in mind.

Within its pages, you’ll discover a treasure trove of valuable insights contributed by both experienced mothers and trusted healthcare professionals, including OB-GYNs and midwives. Their collective wisdom serves as a reassuring companion to quell the jitters of first-time expectant mothers.

What to Expect the First Year by Heidi Murkoff

The “What to Expect” series is a familiar companion for many parents during their pregnancy journey, but its guidance doesn’t stop at birth; it extends seamlessly into the baby and toddler years. Just as “What to Expect When You’re Expecting” provides a detailed month-by-month overview of the physical changes during pregnancy, “What to Expect the First Year” follows a similar approach when it comes to the development of growing infants. This book equips parents with valuable insights into anticipated behaviors, key developmental milestones, and potential warning signs that warrant a discussion with a healthcare professional. For those who appreciate this approach, there’s also the option of delving into “What to Expect the Second Year.”

Say No to Placenta Pics: And Other Hilarious, Unsolicited Advice for Pregnant Women by Jillian M. Parsons and Allison Baerken

Pregnancy is a remarkable journey, but it can also be filled with its share of unexpected and amusing moments.

Here, we have an unconventional pregnancy guide penned by two inseparable best friends: Allison Baerken, who’s experiencing pregnancy firsthand, and Jillian M. Parsons, who is not on the same journey. Together, they fearlessly venture into the uncharted territories of pregnancy, delving into the quirky and often unspoken aspects of this unique period. Additionally, their collaboration serves as a heartwarming tribute to the invaluable support of cherished best friends during this incredible chapter of life.

Enough About the Baby by Becky Vieira

The first year after childbirth witnesses a whirlwind of transformations, and it’s not just the baby who undergoes these changes. For mothers who’ve experienced pregnancy and childbirth and are adapting to the realities of new motherhood, Becky Vieira delivers an unfiltered, unadulterated perspective that often remains concealed by those who choose to emphasize the enchantment of parenthood.

Within the pages of her book, Vieira fearlessly tackles any topic, no matter how sensitive or taboo. She leaves no stone unturned, addressing everything from the trials of that initial postpartum bowel movement to navigating the maze of unsolicited advice from well-meaning relatives.

The Impatient Woman’s Guide to Getting Pregnant By Jean M. Twenge, Ph.D.

If you’re on the path to conception or pondering whether it’s the right step for you, you’re likely amidst a whirlwind of counsel, recommendations, and choices.

Author Jean Twenge offers a sympathetic and comprehensive discussion on every facet of this journey, addressing the social, medical, and intimate aspects of the experience.

Essential Labor: Mothering as Social Change by Angela Garbes

In a unique departure, journalist Angela Garbes delves into an intriguing exploration of how the COVID-19 pandemic unveiled the critical significance of caregiving. She masterfully situates this revelation within the broader historical context of care work, emphasizing the need for a reevaluation of its value. (Also worth checking out is “Screaming on the Inside: The Unsustainability of American Motherhood” by The New York Times’s Jessica Grose.) Garbes, who previously trained her keen journalistic eye on the realms of pregnancy and the postpartum period in her work “Like a Mother,” skillfully dispels common misconceptions surrounding topics like breastfeeding and alcohol consumption during pregnancy.

Expecting Better: Why Conventional Pregnancy Wisdom Is Wrong—and What You Need to Know

Think you’ve got pregnancy all figured out? Economist Emily Oster’s “Expecting Better” is here to shake up your beliefs.

Oster takes us on a journey through the labyrinth of conventional wisdom surrounding pregnancy, revealing how it can occasionally be misguided or flawed. In her book, she expertly blends solid data with a compassionate perspective, empowering you to make informed decisions that suit both you and your precious little one.

How to Raise Kids Who Aren’t Assholes by Melinda Wenner Moyer

After all, isn’t that the ultimate objective? Science writer Melinda Wenner Moyer unravels the wealth of studies and research underpinning aspects of parenting that are frequently shrouded in ambiguity, such as nurturing compassion, and generosity, combating sexism, and fostering anti-racism. She untangles the intricacies of some of the most challenging facets of parenting and equips parents with practical insights on what strategies genuinely make a difference in addressing these issues.

Prepare as You Become a Parent with the Best Books for New Moms

These carefully curated books offer you a guiding light at every step, from pregnancy to the early years of parenting. Whether you’re seeking expert advice, humorous insights, or a deeper understanding of the science behind parenting, these books have you covered. Don’t just read about the journey; embrace it with knowledge, wisdom, and a supportive community of fellow mothers. It’s time to empower yourself, make informed choices, and savor every moment of this remarkable adventure. Your journey as a new mom deserves nothing but the best, and these books are your trusted companions.