“You are constructing your own reality with the choices you make…or don’t make. If you really want a healthy pregnancy and joyful birth, and you truly understand that you are the one in control, then you must examine what you have or haven’t done so far to create the outcome you want.” -Kim Wildner-Mother’s Intention: How Belief Shapes Birth
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Recommended Reading List
It is very important that, as parents, we arm ourselves with an arsenal of books and information to make the very best choices for our family. Here is a list of books that I have found to be excellent in imparting this information. You can find these books in Store.
Pregnancy/Childbirth
*Wise Childbearing by Jenetta Billhimer
*Husband-Coached Childbirth by Robert A. Bradley, M.D.
*Natural Childbirth The Bradley Way by Susan McCutcheon
*The Natural Pregnancy Book: Herbs, Nutrition, and Other Holistic Choices by Aviva Jill Romm and Ina May Gaskin
*Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Newborn by Penny Simkin
*Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering: A Doctor’s Guide to Natural Childbirth and Gentle Early Parenting Choices by Sarah Buckley, M.D. and Ina May Gaskin
*The Thinking Woman’s Guide to a Better Birth by Henci Goer
*Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin
*Birthing From Within by Pam England
After Birth
*Natural Health After Birth by Aviva Jill Romm
For Baby
*The Baby Book by William Sears, M.D.
*Diaper Free: The Gentle Wisdom of Natural Infant Hygiene by Ingrid Bauer
*The Vaccine Book: Making the Right Decision For Your Child by Robert Sears, M.D.
*The Vaccine Safety Manual by Neil Miller
*Well Adjusted Baby by Jennifer Barham-Floreani
*How to raise a healthy child in spite of your doctor by Robert S. Mendelsohn, M.D.
Breastfeeding
*The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding by La Leche League International
*Ina May’s Guide to Breastfeeding by Ina May Gaskin
*The Nursing Mother’s Companion by Kathleen Huggins
For Dad
*The Birth Partner by Penny Simkin
*Husband-Coached Childbirth by Robert A. Bradley, M.D.
Parenting
*The Continuum Concept by Jean Liedoff
*Unconditional Parenting by Alfie Kohn
*The Attachment Parenting Book: A Commonsense Guide to Understanding and Nurturing Your Baby by William Sears, M.D.
*Last Child In The Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature Deficit Disorder by Richard Louv
Happy Reading!
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Books I do NOT Recommend
Pregnancy, birth, and parenting books are NOT all created equal! I have found these books lacking and I feel they do not adequately prepare the expecting family in a positive way.
*What to Expect When You Are Expecting by Heidi Murkoff and Sharon Mazel
*The Girlfriends’ Guide To Pregnancy by Vicki Iovine
*On Becoming Babywise by Gary Ezzo
*Growing Kids God’s Way: Biblical Ethics for Parenting by Gary Ezzo
(There has been a warning about the parenting style promoted in the Ezzo books issued from the American Academy of Pediatrics)
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If I don’t know my options, I don’t have any. Â -Diana Korte
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Recommended Products
Before I had my first son, my husband and I did research on some of the best and safest products in the industry. This is a list I have compiled of things that my husband and I really enjoyed and utilized as parents. I hope this helps! These products and more can be found in the Store.
(Disclaimer: You do NOT have to have these items in order to have the “perfect” set up. I do not wish to be a proponent of consumerism-but if you are going to buy something similar, you might want to check these items out.)
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During Pregnancy
*New Chapter Organic Whole Food Prenatal Vitamins or another whole food organic vitamin
*Fermented Cod Liver Oil by Green Pastures
*Garden of Life, Oceans 3 Prenatal Omega-3 fats
*Amazing Grass Green Superfood drink mix in Chocolate
*Traditional Medicinals Organic Pregnancy Tea
*Yogi Woman’s Mother To Be Tea
*Boppy Pregnancy Wedge
*Snoogle Pillow
*Mother’s Special Blend Skin-Toning Oil
Cloth Diapers
*Organic Bumgenius All-In-Ones, snap
For Organic Baby/Toddler Clothes Sites
*Under The Nile
*Kate Quinn Organics
*Sage Creek Organics
*Maggie’s Organic Socks
For Bathing/Personal Needs
*Earth Mama, Angel Baby
*Dr. Bronner’s gentle baby soap
*Cord Care by Wish Garden
For Nursing Needs
*Lanolin (for cracked nipples) by Lansinoh
*Boppy Nursing Pillow
*My Breast Friend Nursing Pillow
*Booby Tubes by Earth Mama, Angel Baby
*Milk Rich tincture by Wish Garden
*Mother’s Milk Tea
For Baby-wearing
*The Moby Wrap
*The Ergo Baby Carrier
Organic Baby Mattreses
*Naturepedic
Healthy Toys/Teethers/Feeding, etc.
*Natursutten
*MiYim
*Green Sprouts
*Boon
*Melissa and Doug