There is SO. MUCH. CONTENT. out there for new parents. It’s amazing, AND it’s overwhelming. Parents often share with us that it’s difficult to choose where to start, especially as they are mindful of selecting content that aligns with and uplifts their values.
Many of my go-to resources are books that are not at the top of the charts. The reason for this is that much of this material undermines parents’ connection with their child. In other words, they are not attachment-focused. Many super popular books focus on setting up structured systems that are rigid and don’t center baby’s needs. As a result, parents are sometimes encouraged to try techniques that most infants (and honestly parents, too) are not ready for.
This blog is meant to be a curated and living library of books, apps, and podcasts for new parents. You’ll find a wealth of tips and guidance for new and growing parents, so whether this is your first child or not, we think you’ll find plenty of support. The tools we share here encourage you, the parent, to trust your own inner wisdom, while also turning into your baby’s inherent wisdom.
Books for the Newborn Period
The CALM Baby Method: Solutions for Fussy Days and Sleepless Nights
Heading Home With Your Newborn: From Birth to Reality
The Newborn Handbook: Your Guide to Bringing Home Baby
Be Prepared: A Practical Handbook for New Dads (it is a little silly)
The New Father: A Dad’s Guide to the First Year
Touchpoints-Birth to Three (an OLD classic but one of my favorites)
Baby 411: Your Baby, Birth to Age 1! I debated including this one, but it is a good book for those middle of the night worries and questions. We suggest that you filter the parenting advice to what works for your family.
Parenting Apps
The Wonder Weeks This app covers how to get the best and the most out of the magical leaps, and it shows you how you can support and stimulate your baby’s development.
Baby Sparks You can support and monitor your child’s development with daily play activities, milestones, tracking tools, articles, tips, and much more.
Solid Starts The App makes it possible to look up any food to see if it’s safe for baby, to learn how to cut the food based on baby’s age, track allergic reactions, and likes/dislikes.
Parenting Podcasts and Videos
Respectful Parenting: Janet Lansbury Unruffled
The Boob Group This podcast only covers one topic—breastfeeding— but do they cover it well!
Happiest Baby on the Block (STREAMING video)
Mighty Mommy The Mighty Mommy podcast is produced by an organization called Quick and Dirty Tips, and that’s exactly what you’re going to get.
The Longest Shortest Times Stories about the surprises and absurdities of raising other humans—and being raised by them.
Atomic moms Explore the joys and complexities of caring for children and yourself.
Mom & Mind Real life stories of moms, dads and family AND talk with experts, leaders and advocates in the field of maternal mental health and maternal health. (CW: perinatal mood & anxiety disorders)
Resources for Your Growing Child
No Bad Kids: Toddler Discipline Without Shame
The Connected Parent: Real-Life Strategies for Building Trust and Attachment
No-Drama Discipline: The Whole-Brain Way to Calm the Chaos and Nurture Your Child’s Developing Mind
ABG is Here for You
Your parenting experience matters deeply to us at Austin Baby Guru. We are here to support you in planning for and navigating your postpartum and parenting experiences. Please reach out if you’d like to schedule a consultation and to explore how our service may suit your family’s needs.
And, of course, one of our go-to resources is our own blog which you can scroll through here!
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