Prenatal nutrition can be confusing. A lot of the advice you have been given about what to eat (or what not to eat) is well-meaning, but frankly, outdated or not evidenced-based. In Real Food for Pregnancy, you will get clear answers on what to eat and why, with research to back up every recommendation. Author and specialist in prenatal nutrition, Lily Nichols, RDN, CDE, has taken a long and hard look at the science and discovered a wide gap between current prenatal nutrition recommendations and what foods are required for optimal health in pregnancy and for your baby's development. There has never been a more comprehensive and well-referenced resource on prenatal nutrition. With Real Food for Pregnancy as your guide, you can be confident that your food and lifestyle choices support a smooth, healthy pregnancy.

The comprehensive pregnancy nutrition guide, completely revised to cover baby's development and mom's health month by month, and updated with the latest research and 25 new recipesEating for Pregnancy is the ultimate no-nonsense nutrition guide and cookbook for moms-to-be. Every pregnant woman understands that what she eats and drinks affects the baby growing within her. Yet many of them don't have the time or energy to ensure they're always eating right. The guide walks readers through pregnancy month-by-month to cover developmental highlights, body changes, and nutritional needs of the mother and baby. Each chapter shares delicious, healthful recipes that put a special emphasis on the nutrients that mother and baby need that month, during preconception, the nine months of pregnancy, and the postpartum period. Each of the 150 recipes highlights the essential nutrients for mom and growing baby, and provides handy nutritional breakdowns and complete meal ideas.This new edition has been completely revised and updated with:\n25 brand-new recipes and updated classics, with more quick and easy dishes, more vegan and vegetarian recipes and variations, and more gluten-free options\nThe most up-to-date information on supplements, nutrient sources, environmental concerns, and high-risk pregnancies\nGuidance for mothers with diabetes or gestational diabetes, including low-carb meal plans, recipe variations, and dining-out strategies\n

The Only Guide You Need To Nourishing Yourself And Your Baby From The First Through Fourth Trimesters, From The Bestselling Author Of The Big Book Of Organic Baby Food When You Found Out You Were Pregnant, You Were Probably Given A Long List Of Things You Were No Longer Supposed To Do. But What You Really Need Is A Practical Guide To All The Things You Can Do To Feel As Empowered And Strong As Possible. The Big Book Of Pregnancy Nutrition Is The Comprehensive Handbook To Everything A Mama-to-be Needs To Feel Healthy And Supported For Her Entire Pregnancy-and Beyond-from Licensed Nutritionist, Registered Dietitian, And Mom-of-two Stephanie Middleberg. This One-of-a-kind Resource Covers Everything From Prenatal Vitamins And Supplements To Foods That Alleviate Constipation And Heartburn To Preparing For Your Glucose Test And What To Cook And Freeze Before The Baby Comes. Learn Which Foods May Help Your Baby's Developing Microbiome, Decrease Nausea, Ease Labor Pains, And Build Your Milk Supply-- Provided By Publisher.

Available for the first time in full color, the up-to-date and authoritative pregnancy guide that has sold 1.5 million copies--by recognizing that "one size fits all" doesn't apply to maternity careParents love this book because it puts them in control; experts love it because it's based on the latest medical research and recommendations from leading health organizations. Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Newborn provides the information and guidance you need to make informed decisions about having a safe and satisfying pregnancy, birth, and postpartum period--decisions that reflect your preferences, priorities, and values.Unlike pregnancy guides that can overwhelm and alarm by telling you up front all the things that can possibly go wrong, this book first describes normal, healthy processes, their typical variations, and the usual care practices for monitoring them. Only then does it cover possible complications and the care practices and procedures for resolving them. Throughout, the presentation is crystal-clear, the tone is reassuring, and the voice is empowering. And the language is inclusive, reflecting today's various family configurations such as single-parent families, blended families formed by second marriages, families with gay and lesbian parents, and families formed by open adoption or surrogacy. From sensible nutrition advice to realistic birth plans, from birth doulas when desired to cesareans when needed, from reducing stress during pregnancy to caring for yourself as well as your baby after birth, this pregnancy guide speaks to today's parents-to-be like no other.

Getting diagnosed with gestational diabetes is scary, but it doesn’t have to stay that way. Imagine easily managing your blood sugar, effortlessly gaining the right amount of weight during your pregnancy, and giving birth to a beautiful, healthy baby. This can be you! Real Food for Gestational Diabetes offers an alternative to the conventional nutrition approach that embraces nutrient-dense and delicious foods that nourish you and baby without causing high blood sugar. With the wrong information (or no information at all), far too many women are left alone struggling with erratic blood sugar and excessive weight gain, often leading them to high doses of insulin or medications and difficult births. Sadly, this often happens despite these moms dutifully following the dietary advice given to them by well-meaning clinicians; a restrictive diet that leaves them feeling unsatisfied, unhappy, and confused about ever increasing blood sugars. In Real Food for Gestational Diabetes, prenatal nutritionist and diabetes educator, Lily Nichols, RDN, CDE, CLT, sets the record straight, offering revamped carbohydrate recommendations and exercise guidelines based on the latest clinical research. You can have gestational diabetes and have a healthy baby. Lily will show you how. With this book, you have the tools to turn this diagnosis into a blessing in disguise.You’ll learn:Why conventional diet therapy often fails and what to do insteadHow the right prenatal nutrition can reduce the likelihood you’ll need insulin by 50%Exactly which foods raise your blood sugar (and more importantly, which foods DON’T raise your blood sugar)How to customize a meal plan with the right amount of carbohydrates for YOU (there’s no one-size-fits-all plan, despite what you may have been told)The truth about ketosis during pregnancy (and why checking urine ketones isn’t useful)Information on insulin and blood sugar-lowering medications used in pregnancyWhich foods to emphasize to provide your baby with the right nutrients for optimal development (these real foods have a long history of producing strong, healthy babies)The best prenatal exercises to control your blood sugar and prepare for laborWhat to do after delivery to prevent type 2 diabetes

Nine months of nutrious pregnancy recipes for delivering a happy, healthy baby Good for baby, good for you: Every mom-to-be knows how important it is to pick the right foods when you’re eating for two―but the information overload on pre-natal nutrition can be stressful and time-consuming. The Whole Nine Months is your all-in-one pregnancy book with simple nutritional guidelines, up-to-date pregnancy research, and real mom-to-mom advice. Through reading The Whole Nine Months you’ll discover how easy it can be to make good food choices for your body while growing a healthy, happy baby. An invaluable reference and cookbook during pregnancy, The Whole Nine Months contains: \n\n\nNutritional Information: covering everything you need to know on essential baby-building nutrients, daily consumption needs, and where to find them in foods \nOver 100 Quick and Easy Recipes: including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options―with helpful hints on how to customize each recipe to suit your cravings \nHandy Tricks: helping you to handle nausea, cravings, and anything else that comes your way\n\nAs an OB-GYN, activist, and mother herself, Dr. Lang knows how hard it can be to absorb the available information on pre-natal nutrition while tackling cravings and nausea. "Eating for two" is the single most important thing that you’ll ever do―and The Whole Nine Months is the only pregnancy book you’ll need to get it right.

A look at the common difficulties faced by women who had trouble conceiving, once they have that long-awaited positive pregnancy test When women who are attempting to conceive through IVF or other fertility treatments do become pregnant, they often expect that they will now be the same as any other pregnant woman—but the reality is that the experience of infertility continues to resonate during pregnancy, birth, and often long afterwards. Packed with case histories and informed by expert advice, this guide is the first to address the specific practical and emotional issues experienced by women who have struggled to become pregnant, and provide much-needed reassurance and support. It discusses and offers help for the increased risk of miscarriage, multiple pregnancies, premature birth, postnatal depression, and donor family issues. It also covers family life, early days, trying again, only children or more than one child, the teenage years, and beyond.

Simple, nutritious, and delicious―stress-free recipes for a healthy pregnancy\nWhether it’s your first, fourth, or you’re planning for a pregnancy, The Feel-Good Pregnancy Cookbook takes the guesswork out of knowing what to eat so you can enjoy flavorful recipes with all the nutrients you and your baby need to feel great.\nThe Feel-Good Pregnancy Cookbook provides tasty, balanced meals geared towards mothers with a variety of dietary needs, including recipes that reduce nausea, ease your postpartum, or help you practice self-care. You’re sharing your body―choose the foods that work best for the two of you.\nThis pregnancy cookbook includes:\n\n\nMommy milestones―Track the development of your baby with an overview of each trimester, including what changes to expect.\n\nWholesome food―Discover what ingredients will fuel your body and how to maintain a variety of eating styles including, vegetarianism, veganism, and more.\n\nGood for every tummy―Savor 100 straightforward, mouthwatering meals that relieve cramps and promote lactation, as well as kid-friendly dishes for the whole family.\n\nWith The Feel-Good Pregnancy Cookbook you have the know-how you need to nourish for two.

“A book that should be read by every obstetrician, pediatrician, or woman considering pregnancy.” – Dr. Bruce Hollis, Professor of Pediatrics.Much of the conventional advice on nurturing children's brain development is simply too little, too late. The latest research reveals that the most important window of time is during pregnancy and early infancy - when the smallest details can have a profound impact on your child's future IQ, learning abilities, memory, and attention span. How can you support your baby's brain development when it matters most? And why are 1 in 10 children today facing conditions that can be traced back to the earliest stages of development (such as autism, ADHD, and language delays)?To answer these questions, Rebecca Fett, author of the bestselling fertility book It Starts with the Egg, put her training in biochemistry and molecular biology to work and examined a vast array of the latest scientific research. By translating this research into practical, evidence-based recommendations, and sharing advice from renowned pediatricians and obstetricians, Brain Health from Birth will guide you on everything you can do during pregnancy and the first year to help your baby thrive.

HypnoBirthing® has gained momentum around the globe as a positive and empowering method of childbirth. Here's why: HypnoBirthing helps women to become empowered by developing an awareness of the instinctive birthing capability of their bodies. It greatly reduces the pain of labor and childbirth; frequently eliminates the need for drugs; reduces the need for caesarian surgery or other doctor-controlled birth interventions; and it also shortens birthing and recovery time, allowing for better and earlier bonding with the baby, which has been proven to be vital to the mother-child bond. What's more, parents report that their infants sleep better and feed more easily when they haven't experienced birth trauma.HypnoBirthing founder Marie Mongan knows from her own four births that it is not necessary for childbirth to be a terribly painful experience. In this book she shows women how the Mongan Method works and how parents they can take control of the greatest and most important event of their lives.So, why is birth such a traumatic event for so many women? And why do more than 40% of births now end in caesarian section, the highest percentage in history? The answer is simple: because our culture teaches women to fear birth as a painful and unsettling experience. Fear causes three physical reactions in the body—tightening of the muscles, reduced blood flow to the birthing muscles, and the release of certain hormones—which increase the pain and discomfort of childbirth. This is not hocus-pocus this is science. (NOTE: CD is not included)

An approachable guide to what to eat--as opposed to what to avoid--while pregnant and nursing, to support the mother's health and the baby's development during each stage of pregnancy, with 50 recipes.New research suggests that the foods you eat during pregnancy can have lasting effects on your baby’s brain development and behavior, as well as your waistline. Drawing from the fields of medicine, nutrition, and psychology, this easy-to-follow guide, which also includes 50 recipes, gives you a clear understanding of what your body really needs and how certain foods contribute to the development of a healthy and happy baby.

Now in its seventh edition! From the American Academy of Pediatrics, the most up-to-date, expert advice for mothers, fathers, and care providers—all in one guide.All parents want to provide the very best care for their children. This essential resource from the most respected organization in child health is the one guide pediatricians routinely recommend. Parents can safely trust the guidance, which covers everything from preparing for childbirth to toilet training and from breastfeeding to nurturing your child’s self-esteem. Whether it’s resolving common childhood health problems or detailed instructions for coping with emergency medical situations, this new and revised edition of Caring for Your Baby and Young Child has everything you need, with information on . . .• Basic care from infancy through age five• Milestones for physical, emotional, social, and cognitive growth, as well as visual, hearing, language, and movement mileposts• Information on healthy development and disabilities, including what to watch for and when to seek help• Injuries, illnesses, congenital diseases, and other disabilities addressed in a complete health encyclopedia• Updated content dedicated to environmental hazards and allergies• Guidelines for prenatal and newborn care, with spotlights on maternal nutrition, exercise, and screening tests during pregnancy• An in-depth discussion of breastfeeding, including its benefits, techniques, and challenges• Revised nutrition recommendations, including the importance of early introduction of allergenic foods and obesity prevention tips• Updated safety standards: the very latest AAP recommendations, from CPR instruction, safe sleep, and immunizations to childproofing tips, car safety seats, and toy safety• Tips for choosing childcare programs• Cutting edge research on early brain development and how babies and young children think• Updated media chapter, including the effects of media and technology exposure on children and how to make the most of screen time in the homeCaring for Your Baby and Young Child is an essential childcare resource—recommended by pediatricians and trusted by parents.

The runaway New York Times bestseller that shows American parents the secrets behind France's amazingly well-behaved children.*This edition also includes Bébé Day by Day: 100 Keys to French Parenting“On questions of how to live, the French never disappoint. . . . Maybe it all starts with childhood. That is the conclusion that readers may draw from Bringing Up Bébé.” —The Wall Street Journal“I’ve been a parent now for more than eight years, and—confession—I’ve never actually made it all the way through a parenting book. But I found Bringing Up Bébé to be irresistible.” —SlateWhen American journalist Pamela Druckerman had a baby in Paris, she didn't aspire to become a “French parent.” But she noticed that French children slept through the night by two or three months old. They ate braised leeks. They played by themselves while their parents sipped coffee. And yet French kids were still boisterous, curious, and creative. Why? How?With a notebook stashed in her diaper bag, Druckerman set out to investigate—and wound up sparking a national debate on parenting. Researched over three years and written in her warm, funny voice, Bringing Up Bébé is deeply wise, charmingly told, and destined to become a classic resource for American parents.

Enjoy a natural, positive, stress-free pregnancy.Trimester by trimester, this beautiful book gives you safe yoga, meditation, natural remedies, nutrition, and hypnobirthing techniques to match your stage of pregnancy. Encouraging, practical advice from midwife and positive birth expert, Tracy Donegan, will help you to understand your body, relish your pregnancy, and bond with your growing baby.Troubleshoot pregnancy aches and pains with appropriate exercises, quell morning sickness with natural remedies and food, bond with your baby through meditation and movement, and prepare your body and mind safely and healthily for childbirth using strengthening exercises and hypnobirthing techniques.Feel empowered to nurture and give birth to your baby with strength and confidence, and embrace your life as a new mum."A must-read for all parents who want to create a healthier, more joyful, more peaceful world." - Deepak Chopra, MD

Since the original publication of The Birth Partner, partners, friends, relatives, and doulas have relied on Penny Simkin’s guidance in caring for the new mother, from her last trimester through the early postpartum period.Now fully revised in its fifth edition, The Birth Partner remains the definitive guide to helping a woman through labor and birth, and the essential manual to have at hand during the event. The Birth Partner includes thorough information on:Preparing for labor and knowing when it has begun Normal labor and how to help the woman every step of the way Epidurals and other medications for labor Pitocin and other means, including natural ones, to induce or speed up labor Non-drug techniques for easing labor pain Cesarean birth and complications that may require it Breastfeeding and newborn care and much moreFor the partner who wishes to be truly helpful in the birthing room, this book is indispensable.

The viral video star behind Dude Dad offers a humorous and heartfelt guide to helping expectant fathers survive and thrive during the wild ride that is forty weeks of pregnancy.Numerous apps and books exist to help expectant parents understand their baby’s development by comparing their unborn child to a raspberry or a stalk of broccoli, but Taylor Calmus takes issue with that. First off, your baby is not some wimpy little vegetable. Your baby is a hardcore little lug nut who is straight-up growing organs on a weekly basis. Second, how big is a stalk of broccoli? And what the heck is a kumquat? Clearly this situation calls for a better approach. Enter . . . A Dude’s Guide to Baby Size.• At week nine, your little shredder resembles the circumference of a guitar pick.• At week twenty-four, your budding jalapeño is the size of some concession-stand nachos.• By week thirty-four, your little lopper is now the size of a sixteen-inch largemouth bass that weighs four to five pounds!This book is full of fun facts about your growing baby, advice on how to help Mom-to-be, as well as ideas and encouragement for you on your journey from Dude to Dude Dad.Buckle up for a wild ride full of maternity metaphors, gnarly playlists for all the special occasions, new parenting tales, dos and don’ts for expecting dads, and even an entire chapter dedicated to beef brisket!

From America's leading authorities in childcare comes the definitive guide to having a healthy pregnancy -- and a healthy baby.The Healthy Pregnancy Cookbook guides expectant mothers and fathers through all stages of pregnancy from preconception through birth, focusing on how to enhance the health of mother and baby:How to grow a smarter and healthier baby How your baby is developing, and how you may be changing both emotionally and physically Eating right for two, with a helpful list of pregnancy superfoods Exercise and keeping fit during your pregnancy Concerns and questions you may have about test and technology, genetic counseling, and childbirth options How to protect the womb environment and recognize potential household hazards Advice on working while pregnant Choosing the right healthcare provider and childbirth class The transition into parenthoodAnd much more...Written in the Searses' trademark reassuring tone that makes their books long-term bestsellers, The Healthy Pregnancy Book is the must-have resource to fit the greater demands of today's savvy parents.

Do I need more protein? Am I getting enough nutrients for the baby? How do I defend my decision to stay vegan? These questions and more are on the minds of vegan moms-to-be who want to maintain their lifestyle but still nurture a healthy baby. Well, you can breathe a sigh of relief because a vegan pregnancy is not only possible, it's also healthy and completely safe. With this helpful guide, you will learn about all aspects of vegan pregnancy from conception to bringing home baby, including: Which foods to eat (and avoid) to get optimum nutrients for you and babyHow to deal with disapproval from family and friendsMethods to ensure a vegan-friendly hospital birthSetting up a vegan nursery for the baby Packed with information for both moms and dads, including 150 nutritious and healthy recipes for the whole family, this book is the ultimate resource for parents who want the best for their baby-without sacrificing the vegan life!

Heng Ou, Amely Greeven, and Marisa Belger, the bestselling authors of The First Forty Days and Awakening Fertility, encourage mothers-to-be to care for themselves—and not just their babies—during pregnancy.There is so much noise surrounding pregnancy and birth. There are countless books teeming with information—what test does what, the “rights” and “wrongs” of eating, and “safe” or “risky” lifestyle choices—but few that hold a woman through the experience, acting as an elder sister, a matriarch, or as a circle of women might hold her—with compassion, nonjudgment, and, most of all, wisdom. To the authors of Nine Golden Months, this is exactly what’s needed now, in an era of high-speed living, endless demands, and more than a little anxiety and fear.A woman needs to feel connected to others, rooted in the knowledge that many have done this before her, and calmed and fortified by time-honored practices that nourish her body, soothe her mind, and hold up her spirit. The (still-growing) success of The First Forty Days showed that women are longing to experience the deeper aspects of becoming a mother. Nine Golden Months shares timeless guidance from the authors’ extraordinary circle of practitioners, guides, and wisdom-keepers specializing in prenatal care; it draws from Traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda, and features rituals and self-sourced wisdom, so that it addresses all aspects of a woman’s pregnancy experience: emotional, mental, physiological, and spiritual.Includes color photographs

Offers nurturing exercises, herbs, rituals, and nutritional advice for the pregnant woman in addition to discussing alternative childbirth methods and natural childbirth

This fourth edition of the book that introduced readers to the revolutionary, nutritionally based prenatal program for the growing number of women pregnant with multiples is now revised and expanded for an era when multiple births are on the rise and includes updated diet and exercise recommendations for the postpartum mother as well as twenty-five new recipes.You're expecting more than one baby? Congratulations! Effective, encouraging, and up-to-date, When You're Expecting Twins, Triplets, or Quads is essential for you and your babies. Like all mothers-to-be, you're experiencing the full spectrum of human emotions: joy, fear, confusion, and excitement--maybe all at once. As a woman pregnant with more than one baby, you're feeling all these things . . . only more so! When You're Expecting Twins, Triplets, or Quads outlines a practical, nutrition-based program to keep you and your babies healthy, and provides a comprehensive tour of what you can expect during your unique pregnancy and childbirth experience. Women who follow this program have significantly fewer complications during pregnancy--and their babies are born healthier, weighing 20 to 35 percent more than the average twin, triplet, or quad. Included is crucial information on:* Finding a qualified maternal/fetal medicine specialist
* Dietary recommendations, menus, and 75 recipes for maximizing birthweight* Safe guidelines on exercise, physical activity, and work* Reducing your risk for pregnancy complications
* Recognizing the signs of preterm labor and what to do about them
* How twin type (fraternal vs. identical) affects prenatal care* What to expect during and after delivery* Feeding and caring for your newborns . . . and yourself

Don't just survive twin parenting―thrive every step of the way with practical preparation strategies and advice from You Can Two.It's no secret that raising two babies at once has its challenges, but with the right preparation you can conquer fears for good. You Can Two delivers essential information and practical prep strategies to get expecting parents ready for the joys of twinfancy.From mental and emotional prep to feeding, and everything in between, this action-oriented guide covers the broad spectrum of how to tackle the first few months after your babies arrive. Complete with real advice and encouraging anecdotes from parents who have been there, You Can Two is a go-to reference to remember that you can do this.Get ready for two heartbeats, 20 fingers, and 20 toes, with: Step-by-step prep that guarantees you'll be ready for whatever comes your way, from gathering gear for your hospital bag to teaching your tiny humans to eat and sleep. A planning toolkit that includes checklists, trackers, questions for need-to-know answers, and to-do lists. Real support that offers insider techniques from other twin parents, along with stories for reassurance and inspiration.Whether you were hoping for twins, or are still staring in disbelief at an ultrasound with two heartbeats, You Can Two gives you the confidence to head into twin parenting with excitement―not fear.

From the author of Expecting Better, The Family Firm, and The Unexpected an economist's guide to the early years of parenting.“Both refreshing and useful. With so many parenting theories driving us all a bit batty, this is the type of book that we need to help calm things down.” —LA Times“The book is jampacked with information, but it’s also a delightful read because Oster is such a good writer.” —NPRWith Expecting Better, award-winning economist Emily Oster spotted a need in the pregnancy market for advice that gave women the information they needed to make the best decision for their own pregnancies. By digging into the data, Oster found that much of the conventional pregnancy wisdom was wrong. In Cribsheet, she now tackles an even greater challenge: decision-making in the early years of parenting.As any new parent knows, there is an abundance of often-conflicting advice hurled at you from doctors, family, friends, and strangers on the internet. From the earliest days, parents get the message that they must make certain choices around feeding, sleep, and schedule or all will be lost. There's a rule—or three—for everything. But the benefits of these choices can be overstated, and the trade-offs can be profound. How do you make your own best decision?Armed with the data, Oster finds that the conventional wisdom doesn't always hold up. She debunks myths around breastfeeding (not a panacea), sleep training (not so bad!), potty training (wait until they're ready or possibly bribe with M&Ms), language acquisition (early talkers aren't necessarily geniuses), and many other topics. She also shows parents how to think through freighted questions like if and how to go back to work, how to think about toddler discipline, and how to have a relationship and parent at the same time.Economics is the science of decision-making, and Cribsheet is a thinking parent's guide to the chaos and frequent misinformation of the early years. Emily Oster is a trained expert—and mom of two—who can empower us to make better, less fraught decisions—and stay sane in the years before preschool.

The instant New York Times bestseller • A Behavioral Scientist Notable Book of 2021“Emily Oster dives into the data on parenting issues, cuts through the clutter, and gives families the bottom line to help them make better decisions.” –Good Morning AmericaFrom the bestselling author of Expecting Better and Cribsheet, the next step in data driven parenting from economist Emily Oster.In The Family Firm, Brown professor of economics and mom of two Emily Oster offers a classic business school framework for data-driven parents to think more deliberately about the key issues of the elementary years: school, health, extracurricular activities, and more.Unlike the hourly challenges of infant parenting, the big questions in this age come up less frequently. But we live with the consequences of our decisions for much longer. What's the right kind of school and at what age should a particular kid start? How do you encourage a healthy diet? Should kids play a sport and how seriously? How do you think smartly about encouraging children's independence? Along with these bigger questions, Oster investigates how to navigate the complexity of day-to-day family logistics.Making these decisions is less about finding the specific answer and more about taking the right approach. Parents of this age are often still working in baby mode, which is to say, under stress and on the fly. That is a classic management problem, and Oster takes a page from her time as a business school professor at the University of Chicago to show us that thoughtful business process can help smooth out tough family decisions.The Family Firm is a smart and winning guide to how to think clearly--and with less ambient stress--about the key decisions of the elementary school years.Parenting is a full-time job. It's time we start treating it like one.

Based on author Heng Ou’s own postpartum experience with zuo yuezi, a set period of “confinement” in which a woman remains at home focusing on healing and bonding with her baby, The First Forty Days revives the lost art of caring for the mother after birth.“A great read, especially during the second half of pregnancy. . . . Includes pantry and shopping lists to prepare beforehand, as well as step-by-step instructions for making everything from bone broth to body salves. It discusses how to approach relationships, setting guidelines for visitors, and asking for help and support from family and friends.” —Mother magazineThe first 40 days after the birth of a child offer an essential and fleeting period of rest and recovery for the new mother. As modern mothers are pushed to prematurely “bounce back” after delivering their babies and are often left alone to face the physical and emotional challenges of this new stage of their lives, The First Forty Days provides a lifeline—a source of connection, nourishment, and guidance.The book includes 60 simple recipes for healing soups, replenishing meals and snacks, and calming and lactation-boosting teas, all formulated to support the unique needs of the new mother. In addition to the recipes, this warm and encouraging guide offers advice on arranging a system of help during the postpartum period, navigating relationship challenges, and honoring the significance of pregnancy and birth.Cowritten by New York Times bestselling author Amely Greeven and Marisa Belger, The First Forty Days, fully illustrated to feel both inspiring and soothing, is a practical guide and inspirational read for all new mothers and mothers-to-be—the perfect ally during the first weeks with a new baby.Includes Color Photographs