As a new mom, you may feel like you don’t have time to read a book, but self-care is important and a good book is a great way to get some me-time and feel like yourself again. These three books change the parenting game for new moms, with answers to all your new-mom questions, genius self-care strategies, plus support and laughs along the way.
Self-Care for Moms by Sara Robinson, MA
Yes, you can (and should!) be making time to take care of yourself as a new mom. This book shows you exactly how with ways to find fulfillment even when you're super short on time. If you can carve out just 3-5 minutes in your day, there are nearly 30 suggestions for how to make them meaningful to you! There are also ideas for how to fill larger chunks of time, from 15 minutes to a few hours to even a day (or more) to yourself, as well as techniques to help you find this time for yourself in your busy routine. Written by a mental skills coach trained in helping people change the way they think to create positive behavioral changes, this book truly can change your life, one self-care step at a time.
Available at amazon.com, $10.69.
The Little Book of Support for New Moms by Beccy Hands & Alexis Stickland
Specifically written for new moms, this is a survival guide to help you adjust to the "fourth trimester" (the 12 weeks after your child is born) and your new life, both physically and emotionally. Written by a doula and a midwife, it shares tools and advice on healing your body post-childbirth, adjusting to your exciting but challenging new role as a mom, maintaining your relationship with your partner, and retaining your identity amid all your new duties. From questions you were too embarrassed to ask to advice you didn't know you needed, it contains short and sweet tips on everything you're dealing with, in an easy-to-find format. Perhaps most importantly, these valuable tips can build your confidence and give you the tools and perspective to more fully enjoy all aspects of your life post-baby.
Available at wwnorton.com, $17.95.
Mom Babble: The Messy Truth About Motherhood by Mary Katherine Backstrom
If you aren't familiar with Mom Babble or Christian mom blogger Mary Katherine (MK) Backstrom, check out her Facebook page, which includes the super funny viral video that got her on The Ellen Degeneres Show. Her new book features 40 hopeful and hilarious essays about motherhood and family. As MK herself says, “My hope for this book is that it can serve as a collection of winks and nods, from one mother to another. That my honest, messy stories of motherhood might encourage your spirit, the same way so many of you have inspired and encouraged mine over the years. I hope that when you hear my voice in these stories, you hear the voice of a friend who is waving at you from within the pages."
Available at amazon.com, $17.49.
featured photo: Oleg Sergeichik via Unsplash
—Eva Ingvarson Cerise
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