PARENTING
Editors Picks: Mumma Must Read Books
CO-FOUNDER | COURTNEY NORRIS
FEBRUARY 19TH, 2025
WORDS BY: COURTNEY NORRIS
IMAGES: HOUSE OF BIMBI & OTHER
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PARENTING
Editors Picks:
Mumma Must Read Books
CO-FOUNDER | COURYNEY NORRIS
FEBRUARY 19TH, 2025
WORDS BY: COURTNEY NORRIS
IMAGES: HOUSE OF BIMBI & OTHER
Becoming a parent is one of life’s most transformative experiences—beautiful, overwhelming, and full of moments that leave you questioning everything. That’s where the right books can make all the difference. Whether you're looking for expert advice, emotional support, or simply reassurance that you're not alone, these must-read books will be your guiding light.
From The Nanny Connie Way, the ultimate baby manual for first-time parents, to The First Forty Days by Heng Ou, a heartfelt guide to postpartum nourishment and recovery, these books offer wisdom, comfort, and practical tips to help you navigate the early days of parenthood. Motherkind by Zoe Blaskey provides a fresh take on modern motherhood, while The Fourth Trimester by Kimberly Ann Johnson dives deep into the emotional and physical healing needed after birth.
These are just a few of the incredible reads we’ll explore—books that will leave you feeling empowered, prepared, and ready to embrace the journey ahead. Let’s dive in!
Have No Fear - Connie Simpson
The Nanny Connie Way is the ultimate baby manual for first-time parents, offering not just the guidance you seek but the confidence to navigate parenthood with ease.
No need to worry—Nanny Connie has you covered! From soothing a colicky baby to mastering breastfeeding in public, she provides solutions for every parenting challenge. With her warm, no-nonsense approach, she reassures you that you've got this, sharing her God-given wisdom, boundless compassion, and over 30 years of experience to help you every step of the way
“If I were a baby. I would want Connie to be my nanny. I want her to wrap me in a blanket and rock me to sleep. We loved having her a part of our family.”— GEORGE CLOONEY
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The First Forty Days - Heng Ou
The first 40 days after childbirth are a vital yet fleeting time for a new mother to rest, recover, and bond with her baby. Inspired by Heng Ou’s own experience with zuo yuezi—a traditional postpartum practice of “confinement” focused on healing—
The First Forty Days revives the lost art of nurturing mothers after birth.In today’s world, where new moms are often pressured to “bounce back” quickly and left to navigate this transition alone, these early weeks serve as a crucial lifeline—offering connection, nourishment, and support. This comforting guide features 60 simple recipes, including healing soups, replenishing meals, wholesome snacks, and lactation-boosting teas, all designed to meet the unique needs of postpartum recovery. Along with nourishing foods, the book provides thoughtful advice on building a support system, managing relationship shifts, and embracing the profound transformation that comes with motherhood.
A GENTLE, NURTURING GUIDE FOR NEW MOTHERS, FILLED WITH ESSENTIAL ADVISE AND RECIPES FOR THE EARLYPOSTPATUM WEEKS
Purchase HardcopyPurchase AudiobookMotherkind - Zoe Blaskey
Modern motherhood is overwhelming—we’re expected to do it all, from parenting perfectly and excelling at work to maintaining relationships and keeping up appearances, all while pushing our own needs aside. The pressure to juggle everything flawlessly can leave mothers feeling exhausted, guilty, and never quite good enough.
Grounded in years of research, expert insights, and real-life stories from the Motherkind community, this judgment-free guide offers the understanding and support every mother needs. It helps unpack the unrealistic expectations placed on modern moms, providing tools to navigate daily challenges with confidence, manage emotions in a healthier way, and finally release the burden of guilt. Rather than chasing an impossible sense of balance, it encourages setting boundaries and redefining self-care in a way that actually works.
Featuring wisdom from world-renowned experts like Dr. Gabor Maté, Philippa Perry, and Dr. Becky Kennedy, this book is a compassionate and empowering resource, helping mothers not just survive but truly thrive—for themselves and for their children.
"An important and impressive book, that will change how you experience motherhood"
Dr Julie Smith
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The Fourth Trimester - Kimbrly Ann Johnson
A comprehensive and holistic guide to supporting women through postpartum healing on physical, emotional, relational, and spiritual levels.
This practical resource provides a roadmap for navigating the postpartum transition, which can last from months to years. Drawing from her extensive experience as a doula, postpartum consultant, yoga teacher, bodyworker, and women's health advocate, Kimberly Ann Johnson integrates wisdom from Ayurveda, traditional Chinese medicine, and herbalism to offer a nurturing approach to recovery.
Even though empathy and nurturing, the feminine traits that are activated in early motherhood, are enormously valuable.. most of us haven’t learned to value them equally with productivity and intellectual prowess.”
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The Birth Space - Gabrielle Nancarrow
The Birth Space is a doula’s essential guide to conception, pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, empowering you to make informed choices and understand your rights in the perinatal journey.
In this beautifully crafted book, experienced doula Gabrielle Nancarrow provides a comprehensive look at the birthing landscape, helping you navigate options from obstetric and midwife-led care to home birth. She offers practical advice on preparing your mind and body for pregnancy and labor—from conscious conception through postpartum and the transition into motherhood. With clear explanations of medical terms, natural remedies for common discomforts, and insights from birth specialists, The Birth Space is both an informative resource and a spiritual companion, offering unwavering support from conception and beyond.
“Blending heartfelt storytelling with the wisdom of a doula and a mother, The Birth Space will educate and empower you to own your birth experience and make informed choices that feel right to you. A must-read for all birthing families.”
Abby Epstein and Ricki Lake, filmmakers, The Business of Being Born
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