Mamaste Yoga Articles

Read Smart

Recommended reading on natural childbirth and natural parenting

Are you overwhelmed with all the books and articles you are reading? Before you buy another book, we recommend taking a moment to figure out what areas you could benefit from more information on. We also encourage you to “read smart.” Reading just any book you come across can contribute to confusion. We encourage you to choose books based on evidence based research and sound methods. The “best sellers” are not necessarily the “best” books.

Here are some of our favorite books:

Need the facts about labor and birth?
These books provides well-researched evidence to give you confidence in the natural process of pregnancy and birth.
The Official Lamaze Guide by Lothian DeVries
Your Best Birth by Ricki Lake and Abby Epstein
The Birth Partner by Penny Simkin : A wise resource to help your spouse/partner/friend support you in labor and birth. Includes many labor "comfort measures" and strategies for difficult labors that can make all the difference for you. 

Need a book for dad to read? 
Becoming a Father by William Sears
This is a great pregnancy book for dads to be. Dr. Sears gives sound advice on what to expect during pregnancy and how life changes in the early weeks and years of parenthood. Best of all of the information supports what you are reading in his other books.

Need baby care info? 
The Baby Book by Dr. William Sears & Martha Sears
Some moms say this book is the "owner's manual" that babies should come with. This book covers everything from baby care, breastfeeding, babywearing, sleep issues, bonding, and more.

Conflicted about vaccination? 
The Vaccine Book By Dr. Robert Sears
Pediatrician, Robert Sears gives you the research in this rather neutral book on a controversial subject; the whys and the why-nots of all the common childhood vaccines. This book can help make informed decisions about your child's care.

Looking for information on safe natural remedies?
Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year by Susan S Weed
Homeopathic Medicines for Pregnancy and Childbirth by Richard Moskowitz
Homeopathic Medicine for Children and Inants by Dana Ullman
HappyBaby: The Organic Guide to Baby's First 24 Months By Dr. Robert Sears
Smart Medicine for A Healthier Child by Janet Zand
This book is the most comprehensive resource on the market today for informed decision making in the care of your child. Natural and conventional remedies are weighed side by side for all the possible childhood ailments and injuries. Natural remedies presented include homeopathy, herbal remedies, nutritional considerations, accupressure and prevention strategies.

Looking for breastfeeding information?
These books not only educate you on breastfeeding but also emphasize the important bond between mother and child through breastfeeding.
Dr. Jack Newman’s Guide to Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding: Keep it Simple by Amy Spangler
Womanly Art of Breastfeeding by La Leche League
Breastfeeding Made Simple: Seven Natural Laws for Nursing Mothers by Nancy Mohrbacher
The Breastfeeding Book by Dr. William Sears 

Need Sleep?
Sleep can be of the biggest struggles for new parents. There are many books on the market with solutions, some solutions are gentle and others are not. The books listed here not only give you tips on getting more sleep but also teach the science behind how babies sleep and why it is not recommended to let a baby “cry it out”. 
The No-Cry Sleep Solution By Elizabeth Pantley
Sleeping With Your Baby By Dr. James McKenna
Nighttime Parenting By Dr. William Sears

What about these books?
Below is a list of books that are very popular and/or best sellers. We did not include them in our list because they do not necessarily support the natural childbirth and attachment parenting ideals presented in the books that we did include on our recommended reading list. 
     The Girlfriends’ Guide to Pregnancy by Vicki Iovine
     What to Expect when you are Expecting by Heidi Murkoff
     What to Expect the First Year by Heidi Murkoff
     On Becoming Babywise by Gary Ezzo 
     Solve Your Child’s Sleep Problems by Richard Ferber
     The Contented Little Baby Book by Gina Ford
     Secrets of the Baby Whisperer by Tracy Hogg
     The Maternity Leave Breastfeeding Plan by William Wilkoff
     The Sleepeasy Solution by Jennifer Waldburger

If you have questions about yoga or any of these guidelines please contact a certified prenatal yoga teacher. 
Mamaste Yoga™ salutes the mother in all of us and nurtures the mother who nurtures the child.
Mamaste!

The exercises and instruction presented here are by no means a replacement for regular attendance in a yoga class. Always consult with your physician before beginning an exercise program. 

© Karen Prior, MamasteYoga.com

 

 

 

Nurturing Mother

Mamaste Yoga® salutes the mother in all of us, celebrates the miracle of childbirth, and nurtures the child by nurturing the mother.