7 of Australia’s newest and best baby books for new parents

Are you and your partner looking to inform yourself with the best baby books for new parents? In the last couple of years, Australian authors have released several helpful reads. Draw on their up-to-date advice to smooth your ride from pregnancy to parenting.

Preparing for Birth: Mothers

Written by Jane Palmer and Andrea Robertson

What happens when an Australian internationally acclaimed speaker teams up with a well-known privately practising midwife? You get up-to-date answers to all your pregnancy questions. Like, how do I keep healthy in pregnancy? How can I prepare for the first weeks following birth? What is perineal massage?

The best baby books for new parents in Australia are not only up-to-date but written by locals who understand our context. In Preparing for Birth: Mothers, you avoid irrelevant international information. Although comprehensive, Preparing for Birth: Mothers is also practical and reassuring. It draws on the years of experiences of the authors, both skilled in childbirth education. It provides balanced information on antenatal testing and care to let parents make their own informed decisions.

Beyond the birth plan: Getting real about pain and power

Written by Rhea Dempsey

Another one of the best pregnancy books to come out recently is Beyond the Birth Plan. The physical side of birth might be at the front of your mind. But what about preparing emotionally and psychologically? Beyond the Birth Plan helps you get ready for this rite of passage.

Rhea brings wisdom from her years of working as a childbirth educator and perinatal counsellor. She talks about your pre-existing baggage and fears, and taking into account our cultural beliefs about birth. Rhea includes both her own experiences and stories from women around Australia.

The Healthy Baby Gut Guide: Prevent Allergies, Build Immunity and Develop Good Gut Health From Day One

Written by Vincent Ho

The topic of gut health might sound a bit alternative and “out there”. But the best pregnancy books draw on the latest scientific research, and so does this one. The Healthy Baby Gut Guide explains what scientists are discovering about the lifelong effects of our early gut health. Conditions like eczema, hay fever, allergies and asthma are all linked to gut health. These conditions have uncomfortable or even deadly consequences. But there are things we can do as parents to prevent them.

Dr Vincent Ho is a leading gastroenterologist and senior lecturer in Sydney. In this book, he has translated the latest scientific evidence into actionable steps. We have chances to intervene from conception through to birth, breastfeeding and when starting solids. The Healthy Baby Gut Guide offers practical strategies for strengthening your child’s immune system.

Beyond the Bump

Written by Sally Shepherd

A lot of advice for new parents focuses on how to look after your little one. But the best baby books for new parents also talk about you. Of course, a happy, well parent is essential for a happy, well baby.

Clinical psychologist Sally Shepherd, on the Sunshine Coast, is also a young mum. She draws on her personal and professional insights to help with the normal hurdles of first-time motherhood. Beyond the Bump addresses how to navigate your body after birth, your relationships, your plans to return to work (or not), and your identity. There’s also advice on depression, anxiety and rage.

Sally’s writing uses a conversational style like a savvy, kind friend. Along with honest stories from other mothers, it makes for a very readable book.

Nurturing Your New Life

Written by Heidi Sze

Dietitian and mother Heidi Sze lives on the Mornington Peninsula. Her book helps new mothers nourish themselves both physically and emotionally. Using her own experiences, Nurturing Your New Life frees us from unrealistic expectations about parenting a new baby. Instead, she suggests tuning into your values and needs and surrendering to your new life with acceptance, not guilt. Her writing style is honest, non-judgmental and easy to read. Nurturing Your New Life backs up the advice on self-care with simple and nutritious recipes.

Anxious Mums

Written by Jodi Richardson

Many women experience anxiety during and after pregnancy. Living with anxiety herself, Dr Jodi Richardson is well aware of how becoming a parent can cause you to worry. And how anxiety can restrict your life and impact your family. Mothers grappling with anxiety will feel seen and understood by Jodi’s writing.

Anxious Mums shows you how to improve your mental health for yourself and your little one. It draws on science, positive psychology and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). Jodi helps you develop the thinking skills and confidence to cope with the everyday troubles of motherhood. You can fulfil your own goals, strengthen your relationships, and raise emotionally healthy children

50 Risks to Take With Your Kids

Written by Daisy Turnbull

Some of the best baby books for new parents take you way beyond infancy. Daisy Turnbull, head of wellbeing at a Sydney school, sets 50 risky challenges for children from ages 0 to 10. It’s an antidote to “helicopter parenting” and being overprotective. Even before baby arrives, we do our best to keep them safe. But to become confident, resilient, problem-solvers, children must explore outside their comfort zone. 50 Risks to Take with your Kids is an evidence-based guide to helping children push their boundaries.

In the first year, the risks are for the parents to take, not the baby. Later on, risks including showing vulnerability, sucking at something, and washing the car (from as young as age 3!). A humorous book written with warmth, not judgment.

Best baby books for new parents can help

Although humans have been having babies for centuries, we keep finding new ways to support fellow parents. It’s helpful to tap into a breadth of perspectives among these latest and best baby books for new parents. Which of these recent Australian books offers the encouragement or information you most need right now?

Published 24th July 2021