A survival guide to the emotional and physical roller coaster of becoming a new mom Doula Beccy Hands and midwife Alexis Stickland know what a challenge it can be to balance self-care with motherhood. In The Little Book of Support for New Moms, they bring together decades of experience to share invaluable tips and tricks to boost confidence and calm frazzled nerves—plus answers to all those questions new moms may be too embarrassed to ask. Here are instructions for creating cooling breast pads with chamomile tea, quick stretches for relieving aching muscles, and tips for reducing swelling. Tackle the fourth trimester with easy recipes to nourish your postpartum body and five-minute fixes to restore your sense of humor. Beautifully illustrated in full color, this guide covers everything a new mother needs to know to feel supported, empowered, and understood.

Moms are amazing! Becoming a mom is a radical, powerful change. New moms go through a lot. They are are often unacknowledged and untaught. We might be prepared for the facts of what happens when we have a baby, but very few of us receive enough preparation for the emotional upheaval that comes along with it.

The perfect pick-me-up for any expectant mum Whether this is your first or fifth baby, The Little Book of Self-Care for Mums-to-Be is your essential handbook for managing the joyful chaos of pregnancy. Drawing on decades of experience, doula Beccy Hands and midwife Alexis Stickland share insider tips on keeping yourself comfortable, happy and calm however your pregnancy and birth may unfold. From the best sleeping positions and simple recipes for morning sickness to relaxing essential oils and easy home remedies for aches and pains, this book will help you feel supported, empowered and understood. Beautifully illustrated in full-colour, this reassuring guide covers everything you need to know, trimester by trimester, so you can enjoy the wonderful journey to motherhood.

'This is a fab book. Really recommend it!' Mrs Hinch Read this book for an instant pick-me-up. Whether this is your first or fifth baby, The Little Book of Self-Care for New Mums is your handy survival guide to managing the emotional and physical rollercoaster of becoming a new mum. Bringing together decades of experience from a midwife and a doula, you'll find invaluable tips and tricks to boost confidence and calm frazzled nerves - plus answers to all those questions you may be too embarrassed to ask. From creating cooling breast pads with chamomile tea and quick stretches to relieve aching muscles, through to easy recipes to nourish your postnatal body and 5-minute fixes to restore your sense of humour, this is the book you can turn to when the overwhelm sets in. Beautifully illustrated in full-colour, it covers everything you need to know about the postnatal period to feel supported, empowered and understood.

After labor, it’s time for rest: A gentle guide to zuo yuezi, the ancient Chinese practice of postpartum self-care, including sixty simple recipes. The first forty days after the birth of a child offer an essential and fleeting period of rest and recovery for the new mother. Based on Heng Ou’s own postpartum experience with zuo yuezi, a set period of “confinement” in which a woman remains at home focusing on healing and bonding with her baby, The First Forty Days revives the lost art of caring for the mother after birth. As modern mothers are pushed to prematurely “bounce back” after delivering their babies, and are often left alone to face the physical and emotional challenges of this new stage of their lives, the first forty days provide a lifeline—a source of connection, nourishment, and guidance. This book includes sixty simple recipes for healing soups, replenishing meals and snacks, and calming and lactation-boosting teas, all formulated to support the unique needs of the new mother. In addition to recipes, this warm and encouraging guide offers advice on arranging a system of help during the postpartum period, navigating relationship challenges, and honoring the significance of pregnancy and birth. Fully illustrated, it is a practical guide and inspirational read for all new mothers and mothers-to-be—the perfect ally during the first weeks with a new baby. “Bringing our attention back to the importance of the postpartum period for new mothers helps to create space for this essential period of integration and recovery . . . an invaluable companion during the first 40 days and beyond.” —Ricki Lake & Abby Epstein, filmmakers, The Business of Being Born

A prequel to our best-selling Little Big Book for Moms! The 12th title in the Little Big Book series, The Little Big Book of Pregnancy is destined to become a classic literary companion for any expectant mom. Filled with the best fiction, poetry, and essays on the subject of birth and pregnancy, this heartwarming anthology is also peppered with fascinating customs and rituals from around the world, time-honored home remedies, delightful old wives' tales, nutritious recipes, and wonderful crafts and activities. The turn of each page brings something interesting and entertaining to read, to do, or to learn. Illustrated throughout with the same period art and ephemera that has become the signature of this series, the imagery is both charming and elegant. A visual and editorial feast, The Little Big Book of Pregnancy is simply the perfect gift for any mom to-be. Featuring: 8 literary excerpts and short stories, including The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck, Delusions of Granma by Carrie Fisher, and The Diary of Adam and Eve by Mark Twain. 12 essays by such notable writers as Naomi Wolf, Louise Erdrich, and Hope Edelman. 12 poems by, among others, Sylvia Plath, Walt Whitman, Erica Jong, and Joyce Carol Oates. Home remedies for seven typical pregnancy complaints, including stretch marks, morning sickness, body aches, and heartburn. More than 50 traditions from around the world covering birth, naming, labor, and pregnancy. More than 50 traditions from around the world covering birth, naming, labor, and pregnancy. More than 50 old wives tales, including how to tell if it's a boy or a girl, what to do for a smooth delivery, and how to know if you're having twins! 16 recipes for nourishing treats such as Energizing Drinks, Super Sandwiches, Delicious Snacks, and Satisfying Salads. 16 activities, such as writing letters to your unborn child, painting a cloud ceiling in the nursery, and relaxing with daily meditations. 6 categories of "Fun Facts," including popular baby names from around the world, a month-by-onth guide to your baby's fetal development, and statustics about babies, birth, and pregnancy. More than a dozen quotes concerning birth, pregnancy and becoming a parent, by celebrities, writers, and notable personalities such as William Blake, Alistair Cooke, Colette, Robin Williams, and Erma Bombeck.

“I thought I was the only one...” After she gave birth to a bouncing baby girl, Sandra Poulin felt like crying. And she did—for months. But they weren’t happy tears—Sandra felt worthless, could hardly sleep, and had thoughts of death. Like too many mothers around the world, Sandra had no idea that this common but baffling condition had a name: Postpartum Depression... “Shouldn’t this be the happiest time of my life?” What kind of mother, some might wonder, could feel depressed after having been so richly blessed with a baby? The answer: every kind, women from all walks of life, from all over the world, younger and older. And here, in a unique collection, are their stories of battles with PPD, with intimate details about the symptoms, the struggles, and the strategies that helped them emerge victorious. Written by mothers, for mothers, this collection is an uplifting, enlightening—and perhaps even lifesaving—book.