Best Books for a FTM to buy.

Ashl125 · July 2015

Hi all! FTM here! I wanted to get a few books and was wondering if any veterans had suggestions of what to buy? In your opinion do you think the classic "What to Expect.." is the best choice or out dated?

jy725 · July 2015

I had 5-6 books gifted and purchased during my 1st. I never read any of them. Pretty much all the info I wanted was online. But if you plan to get some, I recommend checking a local goodwill. I got mine there for only $1.

jdwaller · July 2015

Hi! I'm a FTM and loved reading through Body, Soul, and Baby by Tracy Gaudet. I also liked Kind Mama by Alicia Silverstone, but her vegan recs are definitely not for everyone. Expecting Better by Emily Oster was also great. Try the library!

parenthood4 · July 2015

Mayo clinic was my favorite for pregnancy. So that's what they're for! Was my favorite about breastfeeding, though lots of people like a nursing mothers companion (I think that's what it's called). Ina mays guide to childbirth if you're interested in natural childbirth. Baby 411 is my go to for baby overview stuff.

Those are my favorites and I read a ton of books with my first...I went a little overboard! But I recommend a pregnancy book, baby info book, and breastfeeding book if you plan on it.

Kristin712 · July 2015

I second @jy725's recommendation to go to Goodwill. I went last week and bought six books for under six dollars. I got a baby name book and some other popular titles. I have always seen a copy of "What to Expect..." at the majority of garage sales I've ever stopped at. My Goodwill had two copies of the most recent edition. I've read "Expecting Better" and "Mayo Clinic's Guide..." from the library.

Rox2012 · July 2015

If you are going to buy a book buy used. I recommend not buying anything. Go online the internet has a wealth of information.

actres4 · July 2015

I bought a bunch of books and read them all with my first pregnancy lol.. I liked Mayo Clinic's pregnancy book, whole pregnancy (a more holistic approach), and for when the baby arrives: Baby 411 and The Happiest Baby on the Block

b1979s · July 2015

I read quite a few when I was pregnant with my daughter. I had a copy of "what to expect" but it wasn't my favorite.

I'd recommend "you're pregnancy week by week" by Curtis and "baby bargains" to help you register. Loved that book!!!

marly604 · July 2015

b1979s said:

I read quite a few when I was pregnant with my daughter. I had a copy of "what to expect" but it wasn't my favorite. I'd recommend "you're pregnancy week by week" by Curtis and "baby bargains" to help you register. Loved that book!!!

I ditto "Baby Bargains" for determining the best products for your needs. Along with "What to Expect" and a baby name book-you should be set. While everything is online, I like having a hard copy to read.

J234 · July 2015

I didn't read Happiest Baby on the Block the first time around and want to read that this time. I don't know about Baby 411, I used Lucie's List online to get ideas for baby needs.

I did watch the Happiest Toddler video with hubby who doesn't have time to read much (TOTALLY recommend!!!)

alyshamarie007 · July 2015

Baby 411 is an interesting read. I also am a big Dr. Sears fan.

MaterSalad1986 · July 2015

The only suggestion I have is to not waste your money on "What too Expect...". I found it to be very dry and boring and had a hard time staying interested. I didn't read past the first trimester. Plus, most of the info in it is easily found online.
I didn't read any other books, so can't help you there.

TheRealVeronicaSawyer · July 2015

I actually read the book "Belly Laughs" by Jenny McCarthy and I loved it. I did read this one more for enjoyment rather than information. It was definitely a light read. She was very real about what it's like to be pregnant and this book didn't fill me with anxiety like others sometimes do. Now, I don't share her views about vaccinations but...I do recommend this book.

Romano123 · July 2015

The womanly art of breastfeeding.

kosmo86 · July 2015

I love to read and read a bunch of books when TTC. I would recommend checking out your local library most of them have tons of pregnancy books.

For something fun: I am reading Gummi Bears Should Not Be Organic by Stefanie Wilder-Taylor it is great!

amandakeyser519 · July 2015

The girlfriends guide to pregnancy, the womanly art of breastfeeding, and The Panic Free Pregnancy are my top faves!

youaremysunshinePT · July 2015

Well, it seems that I'm the first suggesting The Bump Book of lists for pregnancy and baby

That's how I came to download the app and found all of you guys!

From everything I saw at the bookstore, it seemed ideal for me. It has lists (yay!), concise information, space to write down stuff, it's compact... I'm loving it so far. For my husband, I bought Dude, you're gonna be a dad!, so that he'd have a fun and light book to read with some useful info as well. Of course, the internet has everything else we might need

meredithroberts66 · July 2015

Have any of you read "Baby Wise?" My sister used it with her babies and they all slept though the night early!

roo1oo · July 2015

I really liked the Dr Sears book. Their Baby book is great too, though taken with a grain of salt since they advocate natural childbirth and co-sleeping, neither of which I was interested in.

2-Step · July 2015

jy725 said:

I had 5-6 books gifted and purchased during my 1st. I never read any of them. Pretty much all the info I wanted was online. But if you plan to get some, I recommend checking a local goodwill. I got mine there for only $1.

Be careful if you do this :0) In my first pregnancy I purchased a copy of What to Expect at a used bookstore. The cover looked exactly the same as the latest version. I started reading it and came across a chapter that talked about how you should always put your baby to sleep on its stomach. I thought, that's odd, so checked the publish date and it was from 1981, the year I was born! It was in perfect condition so I never thought twice about it! Maybe this is a no-brainer, but check the publish date just in case

lightrox · July 2015

Sippy cups are not for Chardonnay and other things I had to learn as a new mom by Stefanie Wilder-Taylor. My MIL gave my husband How to make a pregnant woman Happy by Uzzi Reiss and Yfat M Reiss they are both really enjoyable reads

parenthood4 · July 2015

meredithroberts66 said:
Have any of you read "Baby Wise?" My sister used it with her babies and they all slept though the night early!

There is some controversy over baby wise, and some people have very strong opinions about it. I would look into it and do some research before you decide if it's what you are interested in or not (not slamming it or endorsing it - just wanted to let you know!)

meg_2006 · July 2015

Rox2012 said:
If you are going to buy a book buy used. I recommend not buying anything. Go online the internet has a wealth of information.

This. If you want a book in your hands ask friends/family if they have any (or know someone that does), or check out your library!

ceds07 · July 2015

Honestly? Save your time reading too many baby books (I get wanting to read something but don't drive yourself nuts) and read adult books because it will be the last time in a long time!

mlsuth · July 2015

I was recommended "Bringing up Bebe" and have enjoyed it so far.

kernj316 · July 2015

Penny Simkin's book was my favorite with my first: https://www.amazon.com/Pregnancy-Childbirth-Newborn-4th-Edition/dp/143917511X. Really great information, generally objective and did not incite panic!

FauquierMomma · July 2015

The Baby Whisperer and the Baby Whisperer for Toddlers.... These are the reason my kid doesn't throw a fit in grocery stores.

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