Oh Baby: 10 Books For First-Time Moms

We talk a good talk, but we know what parenting is like—sometimes, you just want to put your kid the f* to sleep. And that’s okay! You’re not the only one. 

Adam Mansbach’s Go The F* *k to Sleep is somehow hilarious, radically and profanely honest, and affectionate at the same time. It’s an anthem to stressed out parents everywhere, and promises that it will laugh your kids to sleep. And if it doesn't, well, it’s so funny that you won’t even care. 

While an inventive title, this charming picture book is what it sounds: a journey of a mother and daughter’s life together through the years as they face each new stage from infancy to adulthood. 

You’re never too old to need your mother, and certainly never too old to give her a call. Honor the moms who always answer. 

For some first-time moms, turning to God and finding strength in their faith is what helps them tackle motherhood head-on. This book includes 12 weeks of Bible study, in which each week focuses on a different theme, such as gratitude or perspective. 

In only 15 minutes per day, you can connect with His word through advice, teachings, and reflections for moms of all backgrounds, lifestyles, and denominations. Get motivated and inspired to parent from a place of love and faith. 

This is a detailed, essential pregnancy guide for the modern mom that includes a plethora of knowledge without being the overwhelming size of an encyclopedia. It includes a week-by-week guide from conception to the first few months of your baby’s life. You get all of these details as well: 

• Weekly goals: nutrition and milestone trackers, and OB-GYN and midwife questions
• Baby and mom stats: baby’s development, possible symptoms you may be experiencing, major appointments, etc. 
• Postpartum prep: tips for focusing on your emotional health, healing your physical body post-childbirth, taking care of a newborn

Relaxation is a crucial part of properly caring for a new baby; if your cup is empty, you cannot pour into your child’s! This coloring book features pretty, floral pages that allow first-time moms to let go, have fun, and practice some self care. 

It’s also a great option for those who easily get overwhelmed with super detailed pictures—these illustrations have just enough detail to experiment with without overwhelming the user. 

While every woman could benefit from this self-love workbook, it can be especially helpful for moms who have just given birth and are looking for ways to cope with postpartum symptoms, or even mothers who have not yet given birth and are trying to feel more comfortable in their (beautiful) pregnant bodies. There are three things that set this workbook apart from other self-love workbooks: 

• Proven techniques: this book features exercises that are rooted in mindfulness and positive psychology
• Inspiring prompts and motivating activities: quizzes and journaling exercises that will help you connect with your emotions and diminish limiting beliefs are featured. They make reflection and introspection a priority
• Empowering affirmations: research suggests that reading affirmations is known to improve quality of life in several areas, including increasing optimism, and decreasing stress

For those who appreciate a more scientific approach, Tina Cassidy’s lively and enlightening book uses research to explain the cultural history of how and why we’re born the way we are. It features quirky details, shocking facts, and all kinds of stories (from funny to disturbing) that explain why every culture and generation has their own ideas about the best way to birth a baby. Here’s some examples of the questions her book asks and answers: 

• Why is birth so difficult sometimes?
• Where do women deliver? 
• How has the perception of midwives changed? 
• What did the lives of some famous obstetricians look like? 
• In what ways has childbirth been deadly? 

One of the most exciting milestones in a baby’s development is when they learn to speak. But what if you could communicate with your baby before they develop verbal communication skills? In Signs of a Happy Baby, William Paul White teaches parents how to teach their children sign language. It includes a comprehensive dictionary of American Sign Language signs, as well as how to integrate sign language into their baby’s every day activities. 

My mother implemented ASL skills with my niece, and it was much easier for us to babysit her knowing she could tell us when she was hungry or sleepy, especially before she could talk. Along with making life easier for everyone though, sign language is also known to increase language and cognitive skills according to studies, which will even help their development later on in life.

You’ll likely recognize the name Laura Prepon quickly, as she’s a prolific actress, director, and New York Times bestselling author, though she’s best-known for her roles as Donna in That 70’s Show and Alex in Orange is the New Black. But among those wonderful titles, she is also a mother. A mother who was, once, extremely overwhelmed upon the birth of her newborn, as she could only find childcare books on the shelves; not momcare books. So she wrote the book she (and now we) needed. 

You and I, as Mothers, is a practical guide for mothers of any age or stage of motherhood. Using her own experience in motherhood as well as perspectives from friends like Mila Kunis, Jenji Kohan, Amber Tamblyn, and others, Prepon’s book features topics such as:

• Self-care and stress reduction techniques
• Protecting one’s partnership
• Asking for help
• Easy and delicious recipes 
• Personal anecdotes for a global perspective on motherhood

Parenting is hard. And even though you’ve taken the time to research ways you’d like to raise your children, and are determined to break the cycle of improper parenting you may have received from your own parents, sometimes you may find yourself spouting off your parents’ words in the heat of the moment. But no more. 

The Parent Gap uses real-life stories and practical teachings from Dr. Shefali Tsabary, Brené Brown, and Martha Beck to close the parenting gap and come to the table as the level-headed parent you are committed to being.