I recently became a mom for the first time and this year I have found myself doing as much research as I did in graduate school. Breastfeeding, pumping, sleep schedules … There is so much to learn when you are pregnant and a new mom. And since children change so fast, I find myself reading about new stuff each day. Below are some of the NEW PWPL books I’ve read to prepare myself.

“Ina May’s Guide to Breastfeeding” (649.33 GA) by Ina May Gaskin. This book is not new, but is new to PWPL. Ina May is considered a “national treasure” in the breastfeeding world and this guide is no exception. It is extremely comprehensive and covers the ins and outs of breastfeeding. It also covers problem solving and troubleshooting, something I found very helpful since my son was born prematurely and was not able to breastfeed at first. I did not realize how complex breastfeeding is, or all of the science behind it, until I read this book. Understanding how beneficial breastfeeding is to both mother and child (thanks to this book) really helped to motivate me when breastfeeding was tough. This book also features helpful pictures.

“Work. Pump. Repeat.” (649.33 SH) by Jessica Shortall covers everything related to pumping at work, from breastfeeding rights at work to gadgets to developing a plan. At first, pumping at work was overwhelming, especially when I was getting used to all of the new gear. It has since become second nature, but this book really helped prepare me. It offers equipment recommendations, equipment lists, and pumping schedules for various stages, as well as how to store breastmilk for home or travel. I would highly recommend reading this book and the previous book while you are pregnant, in order to prepare ahead of time.

“Oh Crap! I Have a Toddler: Tackling These Crazy Awesome Years No Time-Outs Needed” (649.123 GL) by Jamie Glowacki — This is the second book in the “Oh Crap Parenting Series” (the first book is reviewed below). As someone not interested in punitive punishment, this title spoke to me immediately. Parents often think toddlers are acting out, but really they are just curious, trying to figure out their world. This book breaks the difficult time of ages 2 to 5 years and how to tackle common toddler issues into five parts–Engaging the toddler mind, working with the toddler body, understanding and dealing with toddler behavior, creating a good toddler environment, and the parent. Glowacki does not sugar coat things, but instead offers practical advice.

“Oh Crap! Potty Training: Everything Modern Parents Need to Know to Do It Once and DO It Right” (649.62) by Jamie Glowacki. Potty training can be overwhelming, so this fun title starts out on the right foot. Glowacki breaks the process down into six steps making it less daunting. She is not afraid to tell it like it is, and she answers common questions with honesty and humor. Her advice will give you the confidence to get your child out of diapers for good.

“Time to Parent” (649.1 MO) by Julie Morgenstern features advice on parenting from birth to college. The book is organized into five parts: Time and Attention, Self-Assessing, Raising a Human Being, Being a Human Being, and Life Happens. The book features tools, such as self-assessment guides and parent profiles, as well as expert advice sections. If you like personality tests, you will like this book. It starts out with a self-assessment and recommends working on your weaker areas in order to improve your parenting skills.

By Samantha Ashby

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