Books

Sleeping Like a Baby by Pinky McKay
In this new book, subtitled 'Simple sleep solutions for infants and toddlers', she offers a natural, intuitive approach to solving sleep problems and gives practical advice on: understanding your baby's tired cues; creating a safe sleeping environment; gently settling babies and toddlers; and feeding infants to encourage sleep.

Birth Right by Susan Ross
This is an essential manual on birthing choices in Australia. The first half is all about how to choose your caregivers and place of birth. The second half is about making the right choices during and after the birth to suit you and your family. This is a brilliant book that I wish I had read when I was pregnant with my first baby.

Hospital by the River by Dr E. Catherine Hamlin with John Little
This wonderful, inspiring book is about the work of Reg and Catherine Hamlin, Australian obstetricians who established a fistula hospital in Ethiopia to treat rural woman injured in childbirth. It makes you realise how lucky we are to have the best medical knowledge in the world caring for us when we have our babies in Australia. To make a donation to Dr Hamlin's continued work, please visit www.fistulatrust.org.

Baby Love by Robin Barker
Many new mums start their sentences with "The Baby Love book says..." Almost 700 pages for only $35, this Australian book explains all the options in looking after your new baby without placing judgement on what the author thinks is best - you decide.

The New Pregnancy and Childbirth by Shiela Kitzinger
What a great book written by one of the gurus in mother-centred childbirth. Anything by Shiela Kitzinger is a highly recommended read. This is an excellent reference to look up during your pregnancy and to prepare yourself for the birth.

Birth Stories by Katrina O'Brien
Famous and not-so-famous mums share their always moving - sometimes outrageous, on occasion laugh-out-loud funny, and always touchingly personal - stories of bringing their babies into the world. You can never read enough birth stories!

WellBeing Baby by Universal Press
WellBeing Baby is a natural, health-orientated approach to preconception care, pregnancy, labour and caring for baby in the early days. An empowering read with beautiful photography, this special issue includes an article by Lucy Perry, one of the doulas from www.yourbirth.org!

Face to Face with Childbirth: A comprehensive active childbirth preparation program
by Julia (JuJu) Sundin
If you can't get into the classes, or you don't live in Sydney, then you can read the JuJu book. It's very text heavy and you don't get the gorgeous vibe that is JuJu in person, but it's the next best thing! To order a copy, call the Childbirth Education Association on 02 8539 7188. To read the first chapter, visit www.jujusundin.com