Tuesday, August 31, 2010

parenting resource list

I have a lot of reading to do!! I put together a list of parenting books and resources for our dear friends Greg and Christine who are expecting in October. And so now that baby roo is on the way, I need to do some reading myself. As if I have time to read all the things I haven't read already! Just thought I'd share the list with the internet.

childbirth books
thinking woman's guide to a better birth by henci goer

● a comprehensive book about common birth interventions, their pros and cons, the risks and how
benefitial they are/are not
● gives a good look at the modern birth culture but is sorta preachy and pushy
● talks a lot about birth outside of the hospital

"Ina May's Guide to Childbirth" by Ina May

● first half of the book is a collection of birth stories. most of them are out of hospital births but
are very peaceful and empowering
● second half talks about the all the typical interventions again
● again, sort of preachy...

more books about birth that i have NOT read but hope to before next
time around


a few book/video lists (most of them i have NOT read/watched but heard good things about):
http://rixarixa.blogspot.com/2010/01/preparing-for-natural-hospital-birth.html
http://rixarixa.blogspot.com/2009/08/top-birth-and-breastfeeding-books.html
http://www.phdinparenting.com/my-parenting-library/

the birth partner by Penny Simpkin

● this was recommended to me by a friend - was the only book her husband read

your best birth by Ricki Lake
a follow on from her documentary, "the business of being born" (which i've heard is good to
watch)
● i've heard this is a good non-preachy book talking about the modern birth culture
● "is definitely a must for the contemporary hospital setting"


birthing from within by pam england

● heard this was pretty good although i've heard kinda new age-y
● talks a lot about birth as a spirtual experience

childbirth education

hypnobabies
http://www.hypnobabies.com/
● meditation and visualization training and techniques helpful for birth
● i plan on doing this next time around
● know lots of people who love this and found it very successful

Bradley Childbirth classes
http://www.bradleybirth.com/
● "husband coached childbirth"
● this is the series we took most of
● very comprehensive with natural childbirth as goal with practice in relaxation and gives dads a
very active role in the birth process
● the included workbook is good but some of the material we used (i mean, mostly the videos)
were sorta dated. but, the message is clear
● the book, "husband coached childbirth" by robert bradley was pretty good too but was repetitive
of what we learned in class

Lamaze childbirth classes
http://www.lamaze.org/
● i've heard good things about this series as well
● a plug for Lamaze's 6 principles of childbirth videos
● http://www.injoyvideos.c om/mothersadvocate/videos.html

childbirth trauma

books about baby

bright from the start by jill stamm

● great book about what to do with baby to guide development from birth - 3 years
● talks about development and also how to play
● mirrored what we learned through our early intervention teacher
● highly recommend

playful parenting by Lawrence Cohen

● was recommended by a friend. looks good, i want to read it too!!

the discipline book by Sears

● gives you some good ideas about "gentle disciplining"
● you have to look over Sears' preaching about "attachment parenting cures all"
● while the suggestions don't give you quick fixes, it helps understand what kind of behavior is
normal and gentle ways of dealing with unpleasant behavior

The happiest baby on the block by harvey carp

● a fun easy book that gives you good ideas for keeping your baby happy in the beginning
● toddler version is good to help with whining and tantrums
● you can even watch the DVD instead of reading the book

● a good book for those who wants to learn more of the specifics about brain and cognitive
developement but written so that it is accessible

the no cry sleep solution by elizabeth pantley

● there is also a version for toddlers!!
● guess it didn't officially work for us, but had good suggestions to make sure everyone got
enough rest and what kind of sleep patterns to expect
● the bottom line that i think is important from this book is that only YOUR FAMILY can decide
what is a "sleep problem" and what is fine to handle

baby bargains by denise fields

● great book about what baby gear to buy, what gear you need, and how to be frugal about it
● ask me about car seats...i would have done it differently

● great book about how to effectively talking with your child to establish trust and constructive communication

Baby 411 by densie fields

● heard this was the closest thing you'll get to a “manual”
● gives brief intro on all things: developmental milestones, different sleep philosophies, starting
solid foods, when to call the doctor, etc


Super Baby Food by Ruth Yaron
  • making your own baby food
  • what to introduce and when
  • child friendly recipes


breastfeeding books and resources

the breastfeeding book jack newman

● very comprehensive.
● Good overview of the benefits to mother and baby about breastfeeding
● breastfeeding while on medication section very helpful
● pictures of good latch very good too

the womanly art of breastfeeding by LLL

● don't think i ever read this, but the whole LLL endorses it

La Leche League
http://www.llli.org/
● go to a meeting while pregnant
● online articles very good
● I learned SO much from my LLL

Kelly mom
www.kellymom.com
● GREAT website
● usually my go-to website for all things breastfeeding.
● great articles on pumping and working moms too

see also these booklists again for breastfeeding books
http://rixarixa.blogspot.com/2009/08/top-birth-and-breastfeeding-books.html

pregnancy

baby center weekly update emails with helpful pregnancy related articles
www.babycenter.com

tips and tricks for staying healthy and ensuring proper fetal positioning during pregnancy
http://www.spinningbabies.com/
● lots of good advice to keep baby in good positioning
● chiropractor
● yoga
● swimming
● acupuncture

funny website for your pregnancy week by week
http://www.alphamom.com/pregnancy-calendar/

web resources

slings and babywearing
www.thebabywearer.com
● great place to read reviews of certain carriers, find how-tos
● the forums are a great place to find cheaper used carriers or plans on making your own
● or just ask me cause i've been exposed to lots of slings through our local baby wearing group.
the leaders are my good friends!!

http://safemama.com/2010/02/10/baby-wearing-baby-carrier-round-up/
  • good roundup discussion about carriers
  • need to add something here about woven wraps
http://www.granolababies.com/basic-baby-sling-types/info_23.html
  • another good roundup and helpful site

baby food
www.wholesomebabyfoods.com
● lots of good recipes and food ideas when baby starts eating solids
● slow food parenting

http://www.superbabyfood.com/
  • online version of the book "Super Baby Food" by Ruth Yaron

safe baby products
http://safemama.com/


blogs

stand and deliver - stay at home PhD in birth studies mama of 2
http://rixarixa.blogspot.com/
● rixa's blog is mostly about birth but with family updates
● her phd is in the history of the unassisted birth movement

First the egg - PhD in english? academia mama
http://www.firsttheegg.com/
● a mama with many of the same parenting philosophies but an academic and feminist
● i find i can really relate to her
● she recently made a new website with lots of great info on it
● her blog is about her views as a feminist on a lot of things related to pregnancy, childbirth and
parenting

BirthSense - midwife blogs about birth
http://www.themidwifenextdoor.com/
  • a common sense guide to a normal birth

PhD in parenting
http://www.phdinparenting.com/
● I just found this blog and like it a lot

mama phd blog
http://www.insidehighered.com/blogs/mama_phd
● blog contributers all have their phd's but are in different disciplines, different parts of their
careers with different aged kids
● I don't visit this a lot since most of what they talk about relates to phd mamas in academia

mama phd book
http://www.mamaphd.com/
● book is a compilation of essays from women in academics.
● i found most of the essays very depressing and discouraging which was a disappointment
● despite that, though, it probably portrays an accurate picture of life in academia
● most of the essays didn't really relate to my situation as an engineer in a research lab vs
traditional tenure track
● most of the essays were women in the humanities

funny parenting reading
http://amalah.typepad.com/

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