Spiritual Midwifery and Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth are two of Ina May Gaskin’s bestsellers. Spiritual Midwifery is the classic guide to homebirth, and the Guide to Childbirth is an encouraging, practical look at unmedicated childbirth.

The Business of Being Born and More Business of Being Born are excellent documentaries by Ricki Lake and Abby Epstein. They weave personal birth stories with surprising statistics on the commercialization of birth.

Natural Health After Birth by Aviva Jill Romm is a short book packed with research, herbal recipes, encouragement, and practical ways to nourish body, soul, and mind during the weeks that follow baby’s birth.

Smart Medicine for a Healthier Child by Janet Zand, naturopathic physician, MD and pediatric nurse, is a guide to conventional and alternative approaches to kids’ health. It provides an in-depth look at herbal medicine, homeopathy, acupressure, diet, supplementation, and childhood ailments.
Natural Baby and Childcare by Lauren Feder, M.D. offers a bridge between medicine and motherhood, providing parents with a green guide to raising healthy children. Feder addresses common issues, like breastfeeding, solid foods, sleep, illnesses and more.

Vaccinations: A Thoughtful Parent’s Guide: How to Make Safe, Sensible Decisions About the Risks, Benefits, and Alternatives is yet another goodie by Aviva Jill Romm. She’s not preachy, but presents balanced, comprehensive research around disease prevention and the world of vaccinations.

Touching by Ashley Montagu is a classic text that delves into both the history and science of touch. It’s a fascinating read that’s chock-full of studies and interesting stories.

Babywearing by Maria Blois is a well-documented, inspirational book that will confirm your instincts that babywearing is best for both of you. It includes how-to’s and a guide for finding your best carrier or making your own.

The Vital Touch by Sharon Heller contrasts Americans with other cultures. This sociological examination of baby-rearing explains how the arms-length approach is making American kids isolated and deprived of sensory stimulation.

The Babywearer (http://thebabywearer.com/) is a one-stop baby-wearing shop! You can read baby wearing articles, connect with other baby wearers via forum or chat room, watch videos on safety, and learn how to make your carrier. The most comprehensive site we’ve found!

Skin Deep Database (http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/) 
Thanks to extensive research by the Environmental Working Group and the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, we can now check out the safety of our products before we buy. A must-see resource to vet baby products and products used by pregnant and nursing mamas! 

The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding is La Leche League’s definitive text on breastfeeding. It offers support from pregnancy through toddlerhood. The book also includes troubleshooting tips for bumps in the road. Its encouraging message: breastfeeding is a joyful, rewarding experience, and all women should be fully supported in their desire to nurse.

Breastfeeding Made Simple by Nancy Mohrbacher is a must-read for pregnant women. Mohrbacher sorts through all the myths and misconceptions about nursing and motherhood in general.

Nursing Mother’s Companion by Kathleen Huggins supports those who want to breastfeed. It’s a pithy instruction manual for nursing mamas.

Nursing Mother, Working Mother by Gayle Pryor provides practical suggestions from maintaining supply to dealing with your rights as a breastfeeding mother.

KellyMom.com is a breastfeeding and parenting website founded by Kelly Bonyata, IBCLC. Any possible breastfeeding question you may have is likely addressed accurately on her site. 

Mother-to-Mother Support Groups

Breastfeeding USA: www.breastfeedingusa.org

La Leche League International: www.llli.org

Nursing Mother’s Council: www.nursingmothers.org

Three in a Bed by Deborah Jackson is a comprehensive look at the cultural factors that lead to sleep space. Her style is warm and conversational, and the meticulous research is evident. It’s a warm and fuzzy feeling to know how many of our ancestors—and our contemporaries—share sleep.

Sleeping with Your Baby by James J. McKenna is essentially a guide to safe co-sleeping. Written in a respectful tone, the book includes pictures of unsafe beds, as well as research on the benefits of co-sleeping and some myth-busting. 

The Baby Sleep Book by William Sears et al is a comprehensive book on sleep. It helps explain the sleep needs of babies and toddlers, and provides gentle solutions to accommodate the whole family’s sleeping needs.

The No-Cry Sleep Solution by Elizabeth Pantley features how-to’s for every family. Whether you’re trying to lengthen naps, or encourage deeper nighttime sleep, Pantley offers suggestions that will respect babies and minimize tears.

Notre Dame Mother-Baby Sleep Laboratory website www.cosleeping.nd.edu. A comprehensive resource for parents and professionals, Dr. McKenna’s website has a wealth of free articles and videos explaining the science behind co-sleeping.

Playful Parenting by Lawrence J. Cohen, PhD is as fun a read as it sounds. You’ll breathe a sign of relief at the end of each chapter, as the author’s well-documented success with play therapy can easily extend into your own parenting.

Unconditional Parenting by Alfie Kohn is a knock-your-socks-off read for all parents interested in parenting beyond gimmics. Though geared for parents of children after infancy, Kohn’s ideas can be implemented immediately, and can set you up for a lifetime of healthy communication.

Sign with Your Baby by Joseph Garcia is our favorite guide to signing with your baby. It comes with an instructional DVD and book. The book provides practical answers to the questions how and when, as well as a helpful list of baby signs.

Brain Rules for Baby by John Medina is a fascinating read. Medina scours all the studies related to babies’ and children’s development, and breaks the research down in a way that’s easy to understand and apply.

Einstein Never Used Flash Cards by Hirsh-Pasek, Golinkoff and Eyer is a fun read. You didn’t send your baby to Spanish immersion day care? No fear, this book will reassure you that play is to childhood as gas is to car. If you’re wondering about the best way to relate to and foster creativity and independence, step off the hamster wheel, read this book, and get playing!. A comprehensive resource for parents and professionals, Dr. McKenna’s website has a wealth of free articles and videos explaining the science behind co-sleeping.