Baby information and child development resource links

What follows is a list that's very personal to us at Water Babies, in terms of books we read when pregnant, or after giving birth, that we really enjoyed. Hope some of the suggestions help.

Books for You

First-Time Parent by Lucy Atkins
We highly recommend this brilliant book. It's not only really well written and practical, but also very honest. If I'd had this when I gave birth I probably wouldn't have been crying in the bath reading....

"Life After Birth" by Kate Figes and Jean Zimmerman. Still available second hand, this was a life saver, sitting in salty water, smothered in packets of frozen peas. It demonstrated that other mums can find the whole birth experience just as hard (and if you look at the reviews on Amazon, you'll find lots of other new mums agree).

Domestic Bliss

"Annabel Karmel's New Complete Baby and Toddler Meal Planner"
A food writer producing really sensible, easy to prepare, nutritious meals, at a time when you'll be up to your elbows in frozen ice cubes. (And just as good ten years on for a quick reference on how to make white sauce.)

Books That Help

Dunstan Baby Language: Priscilla Dunstan
Ok, so not a book but a cd. This is an amazing system of learning to understand your baby's cries. Developed by a gifted musician it's a concept that's been proven worldwide.

"Raising Boys: Why Boys Are Different and How to Help Them Become Happy and Well-Balanced Men"; "The Complete Secrets of Happy Children: A Guide for Parents": Steve and Sharon Biddulph
Steve Biddulph is a leading authority on raising boys. Now he and his wife, Sharon, have produced a book on raising happy children, period. Gotta be a good thing.

Sleep: The Easy Way to Peaceful Nights; Beatrice Hollyer and Lucy Smith
Endorsed by the Health Visitor's Association, we found this book really sensible and useful. Do read it before you have your baby as, if you follow its advice, you'll need to know how to spot the 'core night' when it comes.

"Your Baby and Child"; Penelope Leach
It's lke having a wise and gentle granny sitting on your shelf. Great for every stage of your child's early physical and emotional development.

Great Bedtime Reads

Mummy Laid an Egg; Babette Cole
A wonderfully irreverant children's author your whole family will love. Who'd have thought a kid's book would show reproduction taking place on a space hopper!