Top Books for New Moms- (and
Dads-) to-Be
by Tara Pringle
Congratulations! You’ve just been selected to join
an exclusive club – motherhood! Now that you know
you’re pregnant, your next question might be, “What’s
next?” Here are some of MahoganyBaby.com’s picks
to get you started.
(All prices are from Amazon.com)
1. The Mocha Manual to a Fabulous
Pregnancy by Kimberly Seals Allers ($15). Written
by a black woman for black women, this book is tops when
it comes to learning what to expect. Not only does it have
the usual information (such as how to deal with the weight
gain, tend to your partner and inform your boss about your
pregnancy), it has special sections where readers get to
hear what celebrity moms went through to have their babies.
It’s good to know that pregnancy can make mere mortals
out of the celebrities among us.
2. What to Expect When You’re
Expecting by Helen Murkoff, Arlene Eisenberg, Sandee Hathaway
($14) – This book is the standard, helping
pregnant women since its debut almost twenty years ago.
Some readers have said it focuses too much on complications
and what could go wrong. However, we’ve found that
if learning about the different complications isn’t
your thing, you can just skip those pages. Besides, it’s
always good to have the information there, even if it doesn’t
apply to you. A month-by-month guide is especially helpful
in helping you break your pregnancy into manageable pieces.
3. Baby Bargains: Secrets
to Saving 20% to 50% on Baby Furniture, Equipment, Clothes,
Toys, Maternity Wear and Much, Much More! By Denise and
Alan Fields ($18). Who (especially expectant parents)
doesn’t want to save money? It can be overwhelming
for new parents once they get over the initial joy of their
new bundle and get hit with the sticker shock of baby items.
It’s hard to imagine how anything so tiny could need
so much stuff! However, as the title suggests, babies come
with their own list of supplies. If you’re looking
for ways to save but still want to get top-quality products,
try this book as a starting point.
4. Belly Laughs by Jenny McCarthy ($13) – Witty, personal
and chock-full of “I can’t believe she just
said that!” moments, Jenny McCarthy’s journey
through pregnancy might be the funniest book on the subject
you’ll read. You’ll relate to practically every
chapter in the book, and don’t be surprised if you
find yourself laughing out loud. Who knew pregnancy was
so hilarious?
5. The Expectant Father:
Facts, Tips and Advice for Dads-to-be, 2nd edition by Armin
A. Brott ($12). It’s a safe estimate that
the majority of pregnancy books are geared toward women.
After all, women are the ones who carry the baby and ultimately
end up pushing it out. But men play an important role in
the pregnancy also. Who else is going to go out at 1 a.m.
to get a pint of butter pecan ice cream? Craving jokes aside,
this book examines the real role of fathers and their emotions
about the whole process. Give this book to your significant
other so he can see that his feelings about the pregnancy
are normal.
6. Rise Up Singing: Black
Women Writers on Motherhood by Cecelie Berry ($14).
Sometimes you feel like you’ve been so focused on
your pregnancy and impending labor that you forget a major
part – babies grow up! Although the books mentioned
above will help you prepare for your pregnancy, what about
when your child is out of diapers and in school? This collection
of essays on black mothering will give you inspiration and
encouragement for those days when you’re unsure of
your own strength and wisdom.
Read any of these books? Email us
at editors@mahoganybaby.com to let us know what you think!
Tara Pringle is associate
editor of MahoganyBaby.com. Please contact her at Tara@mahoganybaby.com.
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