Listmania!
Pregnancy, birth, babies, toddlers
The Water Birth Book: From the World-renowned Natural Childbirth PioneerThe Water Birth Book: From the World-renowned Natural Childbirth Pioneer by Janet Balaskas
Buy new: £9.74 / Used from: £4.43
Absolutely wonderful - you'll have your heart set on a waterbirth, and then fate will deal you an emergency C-section for your breech baby
The Gentle Birth Method: The Month-by-month Jeyarani Way ProgrammeThe Gentle Birth Method: The Month-by-month Jeyarani Way Programme by Gowri Motha
Buy new: £9.99 / Used from: £7.49
This book sells the idea that fit mothers have an easy labour - inspirational. I was never as fit as I was during my pregnancy. Hypnotherapy worked so well, I did not even realise I was in labour!
Yoga for Pregnancy, Birth and BeyondYoga for Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond by Francoise Freedman
Buy new: £6.49 / Used from: £4.10
Absolutely the best yoga for pregnancy book. Takes you through each trimester. I loved the breathing exercises and the 3rd trimester sun salutations were amazing. Yoga while pregnant is a dream.
What to Expect When You're Expecting (What to Expect)What to Expect When You're Expecting (What to Expect) by Arlene Eisenberg
Buy new: £8.99 / Used from: £3.07
THE pregnancy bible - everything you wanted to know, all viewpoints considered
What to Expect the First Year (What to Expect)What to Expect the First Year (What to Expect) by Arlene Eisenberg
Buy new: £9.69 / Used from: £7.24
Anything and everything you wanted to know, in one brilliant book, from what to buy for baby, breast v formula, weaning, baby's development - what's normal, when to worry. The ONLY book you will need
The Girlfriend's Guide to Pregnancy: (or Everything Your Doctor Won't Tell You) (Girlfriends' Guides)The Girlfriend's Guide to Pregnancy: (or Everything Your Doctor Won't Tell You) (Girlfriends' Guides) by Vicki Iovine
Buy used from: £0.01
Hilarious! A classic. All the other books are 'how to's' - this one is for you to identify with and laugh at
The Best Friends' Guide to Surviving the First Year of MotherhoodThe Best Friends' Guide to Surviving the First Year of Motherhood by Vicki Iovine
Buy new: £6.49 / Used from: £0.01
The UK version - I loved this - had me rolling with laughter and got me through the worst of the post-natal lack-of-sleep (or was it my mother-in-law?)- induced depression
Diaper Free: The Gentle Wisdom of Natural Infant HygieneDiaper Free: The Gentle Wisdom of Natural Infant Hygiene by Bauer
Buy new: £6.29 / Used from: £4.85
Diaper-free from birth? Sounds like a great idea, but I never got round to implementing
The Baby Whisperer Solves All Your Problems (By Teaching You How to Ask the Right Questions): Sleeping, feeding and behaviour - beyond the basics through infancy and toddlerdomThe Baby Whisperer Solves All Your Problems (By Teaching You How to Ask the Right Questions): Sleeping, feeding and behaviour - beyond the basics through infancy and toddlerdom by Tracy Hogg
Buy new: £7.09 / Used from: £5.95
I read this book, lapped it up, started wondering if my perfectly normal baby suffered from reflux and actually went out and bought a wedge pillow - madness. Beats Gina Ford at least
The New Contented Little Baby Book: The Secret to Calm and Confident ParentingThe New Contented Little Baby Book: The Secret to Calm and Confident Parenting by Gina Ford
Buy new: £6.44 / Used from: £4.29
Haha - read this pre-baby, thinking it would be a breeze. Rubbish! Feed on demand if breastfeeding - it's how nature intended it. Co-sleep as soon as you feel baby is old enough not to be crushed.
Birth and Beyond: The Definitive Guide to Your Pregnancy, Your Birth, Your Family - From Minus 9 to Plus 9 MonthsBirth and Beyond: The Definitive Guide to Your Pregnancy, Your Birth, Your Family - From Minus 9 to Plus 9 Months by Yehudi Gordon
Buy new: £12.99 / Used from: £9.35
Yehudi was my consultant, so I got this for free. Excellent on baby massage - easy, all you need in 2 pages. More practical than all the baby massage books. Admit to not using it for anything else.
Nursing Mother, Working Mother: Essential Guide for Breast Feeding and Staying Close to Your Baby After You Return to WorkNursing Mother, Working Mother: Essential Guide for Breast Feeding and Staying Close to Your Baby After You Return to Work by Gale Pryor
Buy new: £8.57 / Used from: £0.01
Brilliant section on breastpumps & why those mini things will not keep your supply up. But her claim that her baby weaned himself on a 3 day business trip made me worry each time I had to travel.
How She Really Does It: Secrets of Successful Stay-at-work MomsHow She Really Does It: Secrets of Successful Stay-at-work Moms by Wendy Sachs
Buy new: £3.59 / Used from: £2.49
Lots of interesting case studies, but v. thin on how to cope with office politics. 'Brutal' schedules are one thing - I want to know how to deal with colleagues who try to undermine you.
A First Guide to Baby Signing (Amazing Baby)A First Guide to Baby Signing (Amazing Baby) by Katie Mayne
Buy new: £6.79 / Used from: £5.50
Tried and tried and tried, but baby was hopeless - and so was I. Cute idea - but does it work for anyone?
The Nanny Book: The Smart Parent's Guide to Hiring, Firing, and Every Sticky Situation in BetweenThe Nanny Book: The Smart Parent's Guide to Hiring, Firing, and Every Sticky Situation in Between by Susan Carlton
Buy new: £3.93 / Used from: £2.00
V. useful Q&A dealing with almost every topic and potential stumbling block under the sun - except what to do if you just can't afford to pay what nanny demands
Brain Child: How Smart Parents Make Smart KidsBrain Child: How Smart Parents Make Smart Kids by Tony Buzan
Buy new: £10.39 / Used from: £4.03
Wonderful, wonderful things to think about and reflect on
Toddler Play (Gymboree Play & Music Parent's Guide)Toddler Play (Gymboree Play & Music Parent's Guide) by Wendy S. Masi
Buy used from: £0.01
Similar ideas to other book, but an easy, readable layout makes all the difference
The Big Book of Recipes for Babies, Toddlers & Children: 365 Quick, Easy, and Healthy DishesThe Big Book of Recipes for Babies, Toddlers & Children: 365 Quick, Easy, and Healthy Dishes by Bridget L. Wardley
Buy used from: £21.28
Only got this when my son was +1yr, but it is easily the BEST EVER BABY RECIPE BOOK. You will need no other. We love everything we've made from here. Stacks of ideas. Huge variety. YUMMY!!!
Finger Food for Babies and ToddlersFinger Food for Babies and Toddlers by Jennie Maizels
Buy new: £6.49 / Used from: £5.29
More specific finger food ideas than any other book, and there will come a time in your child's life when you will need this
First Foods (DK Healthcare)First Foods (DK Healthcare) by Miriam Stoppard
Buy new: £0.97 / Used from: £0.01
The most delightful ideas on food presentation. A gem of a book
Annabel Karmel's Superfood for Babies and ChildrenAnnabel Karmel's Superfood for Babies and Children by Annabel Karmel
Buy new: £9.74 / Used from: £9.00
Good for baby purees and weaning schedules, but if you've bought one Annabel Karmel book that's good enough - she repeats the same recipes in all the other books, or so it seems
Kids Party Food: Kid's Party Food ("Australian Women's Weekly")Kids Party Food: Kid's Party Food ("Australian Women's Weekly")
Buy new: £3.15 / Used from: £0.50
For that all important first birthday, Australian Woman's weekly is the best - and cheap!
Fresh Food for Babies and Toddlers ("Australian Women's Weekly")Fresh Food for Babies and Toddlers ("Australian Women's Weekly")
Buy used from: £3.11
Great for a variety of different baby food
Good Food for Babies and Toddlers ("Australian Women's Weekly" Home Library)Good Food for Babies and Toddlers ("Australian Women's Weekly" Home Library)
Buy used from: £0.01
Also very good value
Kids Cooking ("Australian Women's Weekly")Kids Cooking ("Australian Women's Weekly")
Buy new: £5.24 / Used from: £2.00
Easy Peasy ideas - this book taught me how to cook! Important for any new mom to know how to cook - it's never too late!