| Recently reviewed books |
Preconception:Healthy Parents, Better Babies: A Couple's Guide to Natural Preconception Health Care Pregnancy and Delivery:Cooking Light Holiday Cookbook Postnatal and Parenting:Travels with Baby: The Ultimate Guide for Planning Trips with Babies, Toddlers, and Preschool-Age Children
Healthy Parents, Better Babies: A Couple's Guide to Natural Preconception Health Care In recent years, the importance of preconception health care and preparation has become more widely recognized. In Healthy Parents, Better Babies, authors Francesca Naish and Janette Roberts present a strong case for creating "better" babies by encouraging parents to rigorously and proactively improve their health through nutrition and supplements, exercise, and stress control. Naish, a naturopath, herbalist, and hypnotherapist who runs a natural fertility clinic in Australia, and Roberts, a clinical nutritionist, combine forces to instruct potential parents (yes, dads, too!) on ways to detoxify their bodies, clean up their local environment, and improve their reproductive health. At least four months before conception is attempted, the authors stress, potential parents should focus on their health. Healthy Parents, Better Babies occasionally resorts to scare tactics. The authors describe, for instance, a healthy child born to parents who followed their preconception plan and then contrast that story with the story of a woman who did not detoxify her body, suffered a terrible pregnancy and birth, and whose child suffered from colic, irritability, bad skin, allergies, bed wetting, and learning disabilities as a result. Beyond the sometimes heavy-handed message, however, is an invaluable guide to nutrients, herbs, and a super-healthy diet. --Ericka Lutz, Amazon.com Review Buy from Powells.com
Creating Life Against the Odds: The Journey from Infertility to Parenthood Most prospective parents, when arriving at the decision to have children, presume their journey will be an exciting and rewarding one, resulting in the birth of a healthy baby. When those dreams are shattered because they cannot conceive or miscarry, they ask, "Why me? What did I do wrong?" The trauma of infertility is as devastating to one's self-esteem as any other life crisis, it can destroy intimate relationships--or it can bring out the best in us.
Making a Baby: Everything You Need to Know to Get Pregnant According to authors Bruce (a prolific health writer) and Thatcher (a reproductive endocrinologist), five to eight million couples in the U.S. currently experience difficulties conceiving a baby. To assist them, and others who may confront the prospect of infertility in the near future, Bruce and Thatcher present a comprehensive examination of the options and technologies available today. From "conception 101" to cutting-edge procedures, this clearly written book guides couples through the causes of infertility and the options available to counteract it. While stressing that certain problems can't be controlled (a parent's age or an inherited disorder, for instance), the authors claim that there has "never been a better time than now to get pregnant." Along with familiar "BMTs" (baby making tips), such as the best positions for conception, they offer a wide range of practical information--including which sexual lubricants may actually interfere with sperm motility, which over-the-counter medications to avoid and how excessive exercise can adversely affect fertility. Lifestyle issues (use of alcohol, nicotine and drugs) as well as environmental and workplace hazards are discussed, with the focus on ways to promote the health of both parents even before conception. The causes and treatments of infertility in men as well as women are covered in depth, making this a valuable volume for both wanna-be parents. Lucidly explicating new and complicated medical procedures, the text helps couples decide on which ART (assisted reproductive technology) may be right for them. This is an essential guide for infertile couples hoping to beat the clock. Also included is a useful appendix of medical acronyms and glossary. (Publisher Weekly)
But I Don't Feel Too Old to Be a Mommy!: The Complete Sourcebook for Starting (and Re-Starting) Motherhood Beyond 35 and After 40 The traditional childbearing ages for women have been 20-29. Today, however, the trend to later childrearing is significant, with the numbers of mothers over the age of 35 having grown 75 percent in the last decade, while the numbers in the traditional ages continue to decline. From celebrities to the woman next door, later childrearing is no flash-in-the-pan fad and isn't going to subside; future trends only show women will continue to delay motherhood, according to the National Center for Health Statistics.
Before Birth: Prenatal Testing for Genetic Disease by Elena O. Nightingale, M.D. and Melissa Goodman Genetic disorders can be devastating for parents and victims. This book offers a brief, elementary overview of five of the most common of these diseases, the mechanisms of inheritance that bring them about, and the prenatal tests and procedures that are now available to detect their presence. The authors introduce the ethical and legal implications of genetic testing and sensitively explore the dilemmas which parents must face. While Aubrey Milunsky's Choices, Not Chances offers a more detailed, comprehensive approach to the subject, this briefer and simpler book may be more practical for the prospective parent. Its balanced and intelligent discussion of the issues is commendable. Review from Library Journal
Before Your Pregnancy: A 90 Day Guide for Couples on How to Prepare for a Healthy Conception by Amy Ogle and Lisa Mazzullo This valuable pre-pregnancy resource should be welcomed by prospective parents. Ogle, a dietician, exercise physiologist, and personal trainer, and Mazzullo (OB-GYN, Northwestern Univ. Medical Sch.) recognized that while the importance of optimal health during pregnancy is widely acknowledged, relatively little information is available to consumers about the significant 90 days that precede conception. Stressing that preconception counseling is relevant for all couples, not just those who may be "high risk," the authors present clear and realistic advice about a range of subjects relating to the smooth delivery of a healthy baby. Among the topics covered are women's health and gynecological well-being, nutrition, fitness evaluation and exercises, men's issues, medications and herbs (which are "baby-friendly"?), and emotional, environmental, and financial issues. Interspersed throughout the readable text are numerous checklists, tables of important facts and practical advice, and patient vignettes. Parents-to-be who read this book will approach parenthood with increased knowledge and self-confidence. Highly recommended for all public libraries and consumer health collections. Buy from Powells.com
Taking Charge of Your Fertility, 10th Anniversary Edition: The Definitive Guide to Natural Birth Control, Pregnancy Achievement, and Reproductive Healthby Toni Weschler This comprehensive book explains in lucid, assured terms how to practice the fertility awareness method (FAM), a natural, scientifically proven but little-known form of birth control (which is not to be confused with the woefully ineffective "rhythm" method). Author Toni Weschler has been teaching fertility awareness for almost 20 years, and it's only just now gaining in popularity. As the book explains, by using simple fertility signs including peaks in morning body temperature and changes in cervical position and cervical mucus, it's possible to determine when ovulation is taking place. Fertility awareness is therefore useful for Buy from Powells.com
Cooking Light Holiday Cookbook This is one present you’ll definitely want to open early—the first-ever holiday cookbook from Cooking Light magazine, the world’s most widely read food magazine. No one likes to scrimp around the holidays—now you can stay on track and still dazzle friends and family with memorable holiday feasts and delectable treats. Share the joy with everything you need for seasonal cooking—and less—from Cooking Light. Features:
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The Panic-Free Pregnancy: An OB-GYN Separates Fact from Fiction on Food, Exercise, Travel, Pets, Coffee, Medications, and Concerns You Have When You Are Expectingby Michael S. Broder While most pregnancy books only address the stages of the baby's development, The Panic-Free Pregnancy comprehensively covers the lifestyle issues and questions that confront every mom-to-be. Dr. Broder separates fact from fiction, media hype from old wives tales, and drawing on the latest scientific research offers an accessible, comprehensive reference book that answers questions about... • Caffeine Organized in an easy-to-use question-and-answer format, this book will help women have the safest, healthiest, most anxiety-free pregnancy possible. (From the Publisher) Buy from Powells.com
Easy Labor: Every Woman's Guide to Choosing Less Pain and More Joy During Childbirth Gives pregnant women a comprehensive overview of all their options for making labor more comfortable. (Newsweek) "Down-to-earth prose provides compelling descriptions of labor from moms, doctors, and midwives. A “Great Read”." (FitPregnancy Magazine) "Provides a road map through the thorny thicket of labor — no matter what path you choose." (–ePregnancy Magazine editor’s book pick) “Best Bet” for labor literature!" (Pregnancy Magazine) "A thoughtful and thorough look at epidurals, narcotics, hypnosis, acupuncture, and other traditional and nontraditional methods of pain relief, so your choices can be well informed. The authors believe that knowledge is power — in this case, the power to choose pain-relief methods that reflect one’s own values, priorities, and preferences. They deliver the facts and options in a meaningful and easy-to-understand way, while acknowledging feelings and providing reassurance." (National Parenting Publications Gold Medal Award)
Maternal Fitness: Preparing for a Healthy Pregnancy, an Easier Labor, and a Quick Recovery Buy from Powells.com Buy from Amazon.com
Eating for Pregnancy: An Essential Guide to Nutrition with Recipes for the Whole Familyby Catherine Jones (Author) and Rose Ann Hudson (Contributor) Aiming to fill a gap in the market, Jones has collaborated with perinatal nutritionist Hudson to produce a volume that combines both recipes and nutritional advice aimed specifically at the mother-to-be. Delicately balancing optimum and unnecessary weight gain with the required dietary needs for a healthy lifestyle, Jones and Hudson also addresses the requirements of diabetic, vegetarian and vegan diets. After an introduction providing a summary of needs and goals, the authors start with breakfast and move through the usual soups, salads and mains before finishing with desserts. A full chapter is dedicated to the vegetarian diet, and at the beginning of each chapter recipes are highlighted to indicate that they conform to a vegan diet. Each section contains recommended pantry items for the recipes. Along the way Jones makes full use of convenience and semi-prepared ingredients to provide simple yet flavorful dishes, while Hudson doles out advice on vitamins, health hazards and goals. Each recipe is preceded with the nutritional goal for baby and mother-to-be and followed by tips for cooking, storage, health, special diets as well as complete meal ideas, variations and the approximate nutritional content. Appendixes on weight, sources of nutrition from calcium to iron and food safety round out the book. Despite the book's wordiness and repetition in places there is an overwhelming amount of information. Reviewed by Publishers Weekly. Buy from Powells.com
Mayo Clinic guide to a Healthy Pregnancyby the Mayo Clinic Would-be mothers looking for precise, accurate information from a reputable source will appreciate this mammoth pregnancy guide from the celebrated Mayo Clinic. The volume actually provides much more information than most parents will need: week by week accounts of the baby’s development, entries on how pregnancy can be affected by dozens of previous health conditions (such as HIV and diabetes), self-care tips for side effects like nausea and back pain, sidebars that explain the difference between identical and fraternal twins, etc. But the book contains at least one feature that most pregnant women will find indispensable: charts that indicate how to handle "troublesome signs and symptoms" during each three week period. For example, if a woman has slight spotting during the first four weeks of pregnancy, the chart tells her to notify a doctor during her next hospital visit. But if she has any bleeding at all during Buy from Powells.com
Pregnancy Blues: What Every Woman Needs to Know about Depression During PregnancyBy Shaila Md Kulkarni Misri This groundbreaking and important book brings pregnancy-related depression out of the closet and offers effective, compassionate, and scientifically accurate solutions that can help alleviate the suffering of millions of pregnant women and the babies they are carrying. Reviewed by Christiane Northrup, M.D.
Travels with Baby: The Ultimate Guide for Planning Trips with Babies, Toddlers, and Preschool-Age Children By Sandy Jones and Marcie Jones "Travels with Baby is an indispensable guide for parents wandering the world with kids, from infants to preschoolers. Its comprehensive advice on useful gear and different modes of transportation (car, taxi, train, plane, ship) will smooth the way on any trip, and I especially liked the insightful advice on matching your travel plans to your child's individual temperament." — Cynthia Harriman, author of Take Your Kids to EuropeBuy from Powells.com
Great Expectations: Baby's First Year By Sandy Jones and Marcie Jones The mother-daughter team who coauthored two other Great Expectations books open this outsized parenting manual with a chronology of what to expect—day-by-day, week-by-week, month-by-month—during baby's first year. They follow with a how-to section (feeding, diapering and other baby care issues), a shopping guide (analyzing features of strollers, cribs and car seats), a review of parental issues (mostly mom's physical and mental needs) and an A–Z of baby medical problems. This layout breeds a lot of overlap; some issues—car seats, breast-feeding, crib hazards—are covered repeatedly. While the authors mention that 35% of children in America are born to single mothers, the target audience is the traditional nuclear family, preferably one with ample financial and social resources. They're very modern in their trust-your-instincts advice, stressing that parents are wise enough to choose their own parenting style—comforting crying babies vs. ignoring them, etc. Likewise, they don't fret about boosting baby's I.Q. with fancy toys. Philosophical issues aside, the eye-catching charts and diagrams are bound to catch the eyes of bookstore browsers. (From Publishers Weekly, July 2008)Buy from Powells.com Buy from Amazon.com Get it from the Multnomah County Library
What to Expect Guide to Immunizations Provided by the What to Expect Foundation Keeping up with your child's vaccinations is by far one of the best ways to help keep him or her healthy. The What To Expect Guide to Immunizations is packed with what you'll need to know to keep your child fully vaccinated:
There's also an immunization visit planner that will help you keep track of which shots your child receives at each vaccine visit, plus a place for you to jot down all your pediatrician's instructions and advice. Download in English
Mail Harry to the Moon! by Robie H. Harris Mail Harry to the Moon is just one of the suggestions made by the narrator, who's suffering the displacement blues since the arrival of his annoying, attention-hogging baby brother. 'Before Harry, nobody but me sat on Grandma's lap,' he mourns. 'Yesterday, Harry did. So I said, 'Put Harry back inside Mommy.' But when the boy believes that Mommy and Daddy really have taken him up on the moon idea, his attitude changes dramatically. Harris and Emberley (Happy Birth Day!) are old hands at striking the right balance between comic Sturm und Drang and genuine poignancy, and their considerable talents make this otherwise familiar tale feel fresh and funny — and psychologically true. Emberley's cartooning brims with terrific shtick — he gives the hero some slow burns and outbursts worthy of Ralph Kramden. Kids will particularly appreciate Emberley's gift for staging: the final sequence, in which the narrator sets off for the moon (a laundry basket serves as rocket, a colander as space helmet), blows out any vestige of sentimentality with its full-throttle energy. Ages 3 — 6. (June)" Publishers Weekly (Starred Review) (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.) Buy from Powells.com
Heading Home with Your Newborn: From Birth to RealityBy Laura A. Jana and Jennifer Shu There are people who already have a great depth of infant care experience when they have their first child--have changed so many diapers they can do it with their teeth, can get a onesie over a newborn's head without waking her, can swaddle a baby into immobility with a flick of the wrist. We are not those people. We needed help, and we found a lot of it here. My husband and I both read this book cover to cover before we brought our son home from the hospital, and referred to it often afterward. It has terrific practical advice for the new parent, with informative illustrations--such as demonstrating how to get those cute new outfits on your infant when they have clearly been designed by someone who has never actually dressed a baby-- and is written in a casual, clear style that makes it easily readable and memorable. We went back to it often: "What colors of poop did it This book focuses on the nitty-gritty of the new obsessions you'll have with the bodily functions and sleep habits of your new arrival, and how to balance them with your own. It is a cheerful, engaging, sympathetic and nonjudgmental guidebook, and we appreciated it tremendously in our early weeks home. Highly recommended. Reviewed by Ellen Mark, Chicago, IL Buy from Powells.com
Raising Baby Green: The Earth-Friendly Guide to Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Baby CareBy Alan Greene Greene, a Stanford pediatrician and author of the popular web site drgreene.com, teams up with a consumer health reporter and an author of parenting books to give parents ecofriendly options for pregnancy, birth, and parenting. Everything from choosing the best diapers to selecting nontoxic nursery paint and organic baby food is offered along with commonsense advice about diaper rash and food allergies. These are excellent companions to more traditional parenting books by the likes of T. Berry Brazelton. Review from Library Journal.
The Imperfect Mom: Candid Confessions of Mothers Living in the Real Worldby Therese J. Borchard In this collection of thirty-six original essays, award-winning novelists, famous columnists, and bestselling authors tell it like it is, covering a plethora of confessions to reassure any mother. Gail Belsky writes about the emotional torture that led to the secret circumcision of her son. Andrea Buchanan talks about the pile of dirty laundry that saved her son's life. Muffy Mead-Ferro confesses to her slacker summer, three months without one organized activity. Judith Newman recounts the game of Torpedo that landed her and her twins in the emergency room. Jacquelyn Mitchard shares how she was expelled from the carpool for showing up late one too many times. Together, their stories provide an entertaining, affirming, and sometimes surprising look at the perils and pleasures of motherhood. Poignant and amusing, The Imperfect Mom is a refreshing look at mistakes we all make in mothering and a consoling and hilarious testimony to parents who don't have it all figured it out. Reviewed by Amazon.com Buy from Powells.com |
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