mamasnap book pick 6/26/06

I know we usually pick books our kids like but this week I felt like giving a nod to the folks responsbile for "What To Expect When Your Expecting" and "What To Expect The First Year" These books written by Heidi Murkoff, Arlene Eisenberg and Sandee Hathaway are the equivalant to the Bible for me. I had a terrible pregnacy and because of this I found myself refering to the book constantly. Eventhough I had been through it with my first child, I found myself reading the same stuff over and over again. After my second was born a few weeks ago, I found myself reading the "how to care for" parts that applied to both myself and my new baby boy. Then, of course, because my pregnancy apparently wasn't bad enough in the eyes of the universe I developed mastitis and again found information in these books about what to do and how to care for etc. I am so grateful for these books and recommend that any mom to be or mom to be a second, third or fourth time around keep it handy. You never know what kind of questions you may have and- if your brain is anything like mine at the moment- you'll need to read it 47,000 times before you actually remeber what it was you just read.

A review by Amazon:
Eighteen years after it first hit the shelves and having sold more than 10 million copies, What to Expect When You're Expecting is still on nearly every mother-to-be's reading list. This completely revised and updated edition is packed with answers to hundreds of questions and worries expectant parents may have. The information is presented in a month-by-month format starting with planning a pregnancy and choosing a practitioner, and follows through to six weeks after delivery. Each chapter begins with an explanation of what to expect at a particular month's prenatal visit and a brief description of how mom and baby are growing and changing before getting to the heart of the matter: What You May Be Concerned About. Topics are presented as questions ranging from "Should I be taking vitamins?" to "What if I forget everything I learn in childbirth education class?" to "Will I be able to breastfeed?" The answers are generally reassuring and provide enough information to soothe a worried mom between prenatal visits. Despite the reassuring answers, however, the sheer volume of worries discussed may alarm an otherwise calm mom-to-be.

The book also features a complete nutrition plan (though many women may find it difficult to follow), a special chapter just for expectant dads, and extensive information about dealing with minor illnesses, chronic conditions, and pregnancy complications. What to Expect has guided countless women through their pregnancies and makes an informative addition to the mainstream pregnancy and childbirth bookshelf.

"What To Expect The First Year" addresses special concerns such as illness, first aid do's and don'ts, the low-birthweight baby, the adopted baby, becoming a father, and sibling relationships. You'll also find discussions of breastfeeding and bottlefeeding, selecting a physician for the baby, diapers and clothing, safety, and many ways of stimulating the baby's development.

These books are a must have for any mom, mom-to-be and daddies too! As always, available online from Amazon!