Information Articles
Superfoods for Vegetarian Pregnancy and Lactation
Family Foundations for a Healthy Pregnancy
Pre Pregnancy
7 Things To Do NOW If You Want To Have A Healthy Baby Someday
Early Pregnancy
First Trimester Tips and Need to Know
Study: High Risks of Prenatal Ultrasounds?
Article: Antibiotic Use During Pregnancy
Vaccination During Pregnancy: Is it Safe?
D-Tap During Pregnancy
Natural childbirth IIa: is ultrasound necessary & effective in pregnancy?
Natural childbirth IIb: ultrasound not as safe as commonly thought
Nutrition and Exercise
Meal Planning: Diet for Pregnant and Nursing Moms
Superfoods for Vegetarian Pregnancy and Lactation
Late Pregnancy
10 Things I Wish All Pregnant Women Knew About Birth
Communication and Emotional Health
9 Ted Talks for Future Parents
Parenting partnership
Why Natural Childbirth Class?
Dealing with Disappointment
Caring for the Family - Labor and Birth
Labor
Birth Plans and Birth Place Protocols (Click for Download File)
B.R.A.N.D. Handout (Click for download)
Hospital Admittance Questions (Click for Download)
Birth Wishes Examples (Click for Download)
ACOG Guidelines (Click for download)
Mother Friendly Childbirth Initiative (Click for download)
10 Steps to Mother Child Birth Initiative (click for download)
Article: The Birth Plan Myth (Click to download)
Article on Last Week of Pregnancy
Induction of Labor
Ina May Ted Talk
Surprising Benefits of Natural Childbirth
Undisturbed Birth
Natural childbirth I: is home birth more dangerous than hospital birth?
How to Labor at Home as Long as Possible
Hormones
Vulnerability
Natural childbirth IV: the hormones of birth
Medications and Interventions
Natural childbirth V: epidural side effects and risks
Natural childbirth VI: Pitocin side effects and risks
Natural childbirth VII: c-section risks and complications
Shame
Newborn Procedures
Delayed Cord Clamping
Vitamin K
Vitamin K and Cord Clamping
Vitamin K
Circumcision
Video regarding circumcision
Cord clamping and health
The Fourth Trimester - The Joys and Challenges of Family Life
Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding Inc. Videos
Postpartum
After Birth: Hibernate
To the Mom Who Is Bone Tired, Burned Out, and Totally Spent
Babies
Article: Why You Should Drop Your Newborns Hat
Modern Parenting May Hinder Brain Development
10 Things Everyone Should Know About Babies
Self soothing
The Wonder Weeks
Spoiling babies
Sleeping
Co-Sleeping
Good Night Lotion
Sleep Training
Parenting Choices
Vaccines
Vaccine packet inserts
Vaccines - Dr.Sears
http://insidevaccines.com/wordpress/2010/06/02/polio-and-acute-flaccid-paralysis/
Videos on Vaccines:
Pediatrician Dr. Eggertson on vaccines
Dr. Humphreys on vaccines
Robert F Kennedy on opposition to SB277
Former Merck Rep
Former Salesman For Vaccine Maker Merck
Videos on studies/safety
https://app.getflow.com/workspaces/115977/tasks?sortBy=due
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-USEUgJxQU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F__NIq35Ul4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wslrY5IBNb0
http://journeyboost.com/2015/03/29/is-aluminum-in-vaccines-safe/
Corruption within CDC and Industry
Polio and how we were deceived to believe vaccines saved us
Dr. Marcia Angell, MD, Harvard Medical School and retired Editor and Chief of The New England Journal Of Medicine on Pharmaceutical Companies
DNA in Vaccines
Inspiration for Families
10 Best Birth Books
1. Birth With Confidence by Rhea Dempsey
2. New Active Birth by Janet Balaskas
3. The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth by Henci Goer
4. Birthing from Within by Pam England
5. Ina May's Guide to Childbrith by Ina May Gaskin
6. Silent Knife: Cesarean Prevention and Vaginal Birth after Cesarean
7. Childbirth Without Fear by Grantly Dick-Read
8. When Survivors Give Birth
9. The Birth Book by Dr. Bill and Martha Sears
10. The Waterbirth Book by Jnet Balaskas
For summaries of the books and more information, check out the original article by HERE.
Best Breastfeeding Books
Breastfeeding: How To Breastfeed Your Baby
This book is the culmination of 40-plus years of hands-on experience from three dedicated and internationally respected authors. Newly updated, it blends academic knowledge, clinical expertise, and practical skills to educate first-time and experienced mothers alike. Mothers will find precisely the information they need to help their babies grow and thrive physically and emotionally as a result of breastfeeding. “Wonderful and user friendly.” — Marshall Klaus, MD, Neonatologist and author of The Amazing Newborn and Parent Infant Bonding “For any woman who faces problems with breastfeeding — and anyone wanting to help her — this is the perfect book. ” Sheila Kitzinger, author of Breastfeeding Your Baby and The Complete Book of Pregnancy and Childbirth.
Ina May’s Guide to Breastfeeding
From leading midwife and the author of Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth comes this deeply compassionate and comprehensive guide to making breastfeeding a joyful experience for both mother and child. Drawing on her decades of experience in caring for pregnant women, mothers and babies, Ina May Gaskin’s newest book explores the health and psychological benefits of breastfeeding. Inspiring as well as informative, Ina May’s Guide to Breastfeeding is a powerful and practical guide filled with helpful advice, medical facts and real-life stories. It helps mothers understand how and why breastfeeding works and how they can use it to more deeply connect with their children and their own bodies, without fear, inhibition, or embarrassment.
The Nursing Mother’s Companion
Breastfeeding may be natural, but it’s not always instinctive. The 20th Anniversary Edition of this classic guide to breastfeeding, beloved by a generation of women, has been completely revised and updated. It provides even more practical, reassuring advice and support for today’s expectant and nursing mothers. Easy-reference survival guides help identify and resolve problems at each stage. An appendix on drug safety is a unique feature among breastfeeding books.
Parenting Books
The Attachment Parenting Book by William (M.D.) and Martha (R.N.) Sears
The husband and wife (and doctor and nurse) that started it all… The Sears coined the term “Attachment Parenting,” and in this natural parenting book they describe the specifics of this parenting practice. For folks who don’t know, attachment parenting (AP) encourages a strong early attachment, and advocates parental responsiveness to babies’ dependency needs. It centers around the six Baby B’s: Bonding, Breastfeeding, Babywearing, Bedding close to baby, Belief in the language value of baby’s cry, Beware of baby trainers. This is a great book to encourage you on your parenting journey whether you follow all the B's or not. Interesting to note, the Sears grew up in less than ideal households, and as a result were determined to create an atmosphere of compassion, love and connection when they started their family. Eight children and many grandchildren later, they’ve done just that.
P.S. If you’re looking for a newer spin on AP, check out Mayim Bialik’s Beyond the Sling.
The Baby Book by William (M.D.) and Martha (R.N.) Sears
The subtitle of this book is “Everything You Need to Know About Your Baby from Birth to Age Two,” and that pretty much sums up this huge and indispensable volume. If you buy just one natural parenting book, buy this one. It's a favorite in the list because the Sears covers EVERYTHING! From exercises mama can do to strengthen her core postpartum, to how to clear a baby’s nose, to what that weird rash on baby’s butt is all about, they tackle it all. The Sears’ use a relaxed and non-alarmist tone throughout – perfect for a paranoid first-time mom. While some of the information seems outdated (he shows us how to use pin diapers), and not all agree with all of the diet recommendations, there is still plenty of valuable info in here.
The Happiest Baby on the Block by Harvey Karpp
In the early months of his life, Griffin used to cry without provocation each and every night. I couldn’t understand WHY, and despite my best efforts to nurse, kiss, hug, and rock him, nothing seemed to help. Many nights, we both ended up in tears. Then I encountered Harvey Karpp’s The Happiest Baby on the Block. His “5 S’s” gave me the tools to soothe my baby and reduce his crying significantly. (Talk about a confidence boost!) Karpp also introduces the concept of “The Fourth Trimester.” This perspective helped me understand my baby more and give him the compassion and care that he needed. Note that the teachings in this natural parenting book are also available in a very useful (and unintentionally comical) DVD.
Nourishing Traditions of Baby and Child Care by Sally Fallon Morrell & Thomas Cowan M.D.
This natural parenting book wasn’t out when Griffin was born, but I’m so happy to have it as a resource for Paloma. True to Fallon Morell’s style, she offers many practical tips to help our babies thrive, all based on ancient and nourishing traditions. This book is chock full of natural remedies for common childhood ailments (think colic, fevers, colds, etc.) and nutrient-dense recipes designed for baby’s development that aren’t necessarily mainstream (think bone broth, grated liver and egg yolks as baby’s first foods). She also features a thought-provoking chapter dedicated to childhood vaccines.
The Vaccine Book by Dr. Robert Sears
Speaking of vaccines, this book is a great resource for parents on the fence with regard to vaccines. The son of the famous Dr. William Sears, Robert does a fantastic job demystifying the history, ingredients and purpose of every childhood vaccine that’s on the AACP’s schedule. He also presents the information in a way that empowers and encourages the parent to make his/her informed decision without pushing an agenda. Finally, he offers a helpful alternative schedule for parents who still want to vaccinate, but in a gentler way. This natural parenting book helped shape my family’s thoughts on vaccines.
Beautiful Babies by Kristen Michealis
The subtitle to this natural parenting book is “Nutrition for Fertility, Pregnancy, Breast-feeding, and Baby’s First Foods,” and this brisk and very readable volume delivers on all of that and more. Michaelis, author of the mighty Food Renegade blog, outlines the ideal diet for preconception, pregnancy, postpartum and beyond as well as the optimal diet for babies and toddlers. She also sites the science and research that supports her recommendations. With her book and corresponding e-course, she’s helped women overcome infertility, morning sickness, swelling and other pregnancy-related issues.
Nourished Baby by Heather Dessinger
One of my go-to’s, this thorough and well-researched natural parenting eBook is all about the baby and their belly and for good reason… as Hippocrates said “All disease begins in the gut.” By implementing Heather’s suggestions, our babies will be blessed with good gut flora from the beginning. She walks us through babies unique nutritional needs through the first year and then shows us how to feed them to best support their growth. This ebook is loaded with nourishing and age-specific recipes with appetizing pictures to boot! A great natural parenting book to also give as a gift.
Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child by Marc Weissbluth M.D.
I may get slammed for including this one, as Dr. Weissbluth can be perceived as a hardcore cry it out advocate. BUT, that’s certainly not why I like this book and believe every parent could benefit from it. It is second to none in describing what normal sleep behavior looks like for children of various ages and stages (i.e. how many naps per day, how many hours of sleep per 24 hours, when to drop naps, etc.). And, if you actually follow Dr. Weissbluth’s instructions, learn your child’s tired signals, and catch them BEFORE they get overtired, there needn’t be any crying at all. Yippee!
The Other Baby Book: A Natural Approach to Baby's First Year by Megan McGrory Massaro
Think of this natural parenting book as the crunchy version of the “What To Expect” franchise. Written by two best friends (who happen to be moms), it’s a fun read filled with great advice and real-life stories from experienced mamas. The book is segmented into 8 chapters focusing on topics such as birth, holding your baby, breastfeeding, infant sleep, pottying babies (think Elimination Communication), sign language, baby-led solids, and self-care for moms.
The Continuum Concept by Jean Liedloff
The Continuum Concept introduces the idea that in order to achieve optimal physical, mental and emotional development, human beings “ especially babies “ require the kind of instinctive nurturing as practiced by our ancient relatives. It is a true ‘back to basics’ approach to parenting. Author Jean Liedloff spent two and-a-half years in the jungle deep in the heart of South America living with indigenous tribes and was astounded at how differently children are raised outside the Western world. She came to the realization that essential child-rearing techniques such as touch, trust and community have been undermined in modern times, and in this book suggests practical ways to regain our natural well-being, for our children and ourselves.
Heart To Heart Parenting by Robin Grille
An essential book for parents, Heart To Heart Parenting is more than just a how-to book about raising happy and resilient children. Its focus is to create a joyous connection with your baby and toddler. Using techniques that are based on bonding rather than shaming, manipulation or punishment, Robin Grille introduces you to insightful and practical ways to benefit your child’s emotional wellbeing and social development, including how to: Build a quality relationship with your child; Trust your in-built parenting wisdom to understand your child’s emotional needs; Look beneath the surface to support your child as they explore their world from conception to school age; Help them develop self esteem, their sense of autonomy or independence; Encourage them to take risks; Learn the benefits of meaningful attachment to parents and the social impact of wounds.