The Little Book of Self-Care for New Mums

by Beccy Hands, Alexis Stickland

Read this book for an instant pick-me-up. Whether this is your first or fifth baby, The Little Book of Self-Care for New Mums is your handy survival guide to managing the emotional and physical rollercoaster of becoming a new mum. Bringing together decades of experience from a midwife and a doula, you'll find invaluable tips and tricks to boost confidence and calm frazzled nerves - plus answers to all those questions you may be too embarrassed to ask. From creating cooling breast pads with chamomile tea and quick stretches to relieve aching muscles, through to easy recipes to nourish your postnatal body and 5-minute fixes to restore your sense of humor, this is the book you can turn to when the overwhelm sets in. Beautifully illustrated in full-color, it covers everything you need to know about the postnatal period to feel supported, empowered, and understood.

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction

192 pages, Hardcover

Published October 4, 2018

Reviews

[Esin · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are so many books on how to take care of babies but it is so true that one is usually more afraid to not be well enough to do well... This book has solid advice on how to keep well. I loved it! I'll get it as a gift to all new Mama's I know. Illustrations are very lovely. It also helped me to create a discussion ground with our family while planning postpartum.

[Ellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a baby shower gift and so appreciated, feel like I'm looking after myself just by reading through it (also in the bath). Would recommend and lend to any new mum and I'm sure I'll revisit it time and time again when I need a little boost

[Ria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gifted to me by another new mum (thanks Alison!), every page of this book felt like a reassuring hug from a friend, telling me it's all going to be OK. Here's hoping!

[Brookie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, I bought it at 6 weeks post partum. I wish I would have found it sooner. I definitely recommend this to new moms!

[Larisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute guide that will make you feel pampered just by reading it.

[Roberta · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read for a first time mom 🌸 Especially if you haven’t participated in any postnatal courses. I already knew most of the information about the changes women are going through after the birth, about recovery time and stuff like that, nevertheless, I still liked the read.

There are many tips for postnatal self care like exercises, recipes, tips for going out, for date nights with your partner, reminder to take a break, rest, take a bath etc. But that is not the main thing I liked about this little book (yes, the format itself is perfect for taking this book with you everywhere, for putting in the stroller and reading while the babe sleeps outside) ✨

The main thing I liked is the general feeling this book left me with - it felt like the authors cared. Cared for me, as a new mum, for my journey, for my story and for all the other moms as well. I don’t know if this is because my hormones are still going wild but the love coming from the pages sometimes made me cry. It is not always easy to find someone to talk to, not easy to open up so at least you will know that you are not alone in this and whatever you are going through it is very normal 😌

[Andrea Jakovac · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the book. I read it 5 months after having my second baby and that is a too late. From the title, I thought it wasn't gonna be strictly for postnatal period. Nevertheless, easy to read and helpful book.

[Angharad Elin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a brilliant book. Should have read it much earlier on, but still found it useful a year post partum. Would highly recommend.

[Kimberly Nolan · Rating 5 out of 5]

HIGHLY recommend. Read it at 3 months post partum and that was a little too late in my opinion. Read it while pregnant. It can help you in so many ways.

[منال الندابي · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book can be a really thoughtful gift for any new mum, or any mum for that matter. It gives off a warm and cozy vibe that is much needed in those early weeks postpartum.

One of the authors is a midwife and the other is a doula, with their experiences combined, both women pour from their extended knowledge on all things postpartum and how to tend to yourself and best take care of your mental, physical and emotional self after giving birth.

Being from a different culture that the one aimed at in the book, I'm thankful to our community and family values that allow mothers to be well taken care of by their communities and families, no matter how old, or how many times a mother has given birth. compared to the west, we are so lucky to have such a connection that honors our needs, that allows us enough time to heal and recover within the love and care of our families.

Women around the world deserve to be taken care of in all aspects after going through a potentially traumatizing life event such as giving birth. Expecting them to bounce back to their normal lives immediately plus taking care of a new human being is just illogical and impossible.

This book offers ideas that feel like a breath of fresh air for mummies, helping them to settle into a state of calm, and encouraging them to love themselves a bit more during these exceptional times. The book also offers recipes, mood-lifting lists, yoga and stretching exercises, as well as a lot of life saving hacks and tricks to help new mums navigate their way through their postpartum journey.

[Vicki Swift · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book as soon as I got home from hospital with my newborn daughter. It has a plethora of good advice and stories to help you get through the initial stages of parenthood. I haven't given it 5 stars simply because I already knew a fair amount of the content after doing online courses and reading other books, but I still highly recommend it for any new mum who is looking for a bit of comfort and guidance.

[Kirree Earnshaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really informative and helpful, written in a friendly tone with good and useful advice. I was given this by a friend and it's been easy to pick up and read whilst feeding my baby. It's such a crazy time of changes in all aspects of life and the author really gets it! My only improvement would be to have a more detailed contents page to make it easier to find specific sections (it's currently in 3 parts).

[Rambling Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's not brilliantly groundbreaking, but it's a beautifully accessible little book that's encouraging and informative, but not overwhelming. I'd definitely recommend it especially to women about to be new mums who haven't read a lot, or who have focused their reading on preparing for birth and not prepared for postpartum.

[Rachael · Rating 5 out of 5]

My partner bought me this in the days after having my second child, when I was really struggling with feeding, hormones and all the other new Mum things. This book was fantastic! Took me away from everything going on for 10-20 minutes at a time, and made me realize what I felt was normal with lots of supportive tips within. Highly recommended.

[Alisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

My partner bought this book for me as a little guide into becoming a first time mummy. It has helped support me with both the emotional and physical side of post-pregnancy and I really enjoyed the quick read (in between the baby napping of course haha). Definitely recommend for a mummy pick me up and reassurance.

[Harley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Motherhood and general life got in the way of finishing this one, I started it on my maternity leave over 2 and a half years ago! I wish I read it and finished it sooner, valuable and useful information. It was such a lovely baby shower gift I received.

[Natasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing! Second time round and there were so many tips in here I wish I'd known first time round. Great gift for any mums to be.

[Lizzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really easy to digest with lovely illustrations - very practical and down to earth, gentle, funny, reassuring. Highly recommended! Would be good for partners to read as well.

[Sas Pearson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A compact bite size, easy-to-read know-how/refresher of entering motherhood, whilst caring for yourself to give the best to your baby.

[Charlie Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a lovely lovely book! Highly recommend and wish I’d started reading sooner! Some really helpful tips and tricks 😍

[Giulia Molteni · Rating 5 out of 5]

So practical and reassuring, i am suggesting it to all new mums i know!

[Miss H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some cute tips.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bought this book while I was still pregnant and read it at 3 weeks postpartum. It’s really given me some good tips and reminded me to be kinder to myself and my body as it’s done something amazing!

[Dani Quinn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Positive and encouraging with practical advice. Everything is easy to take in even when exhausted, so well-pitched for its audience!

[Alicja · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a brilliant little book. I wish I bought it straight after giving borth. Lots of practical tips, ideas, recipes to make you feel better during those first tricky months.

[Aimée Bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice little book with lots of advice for mum's to be. Enjoyed reading this in bed each night and learnt a few helpful tips!

[Lauri · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book helped me so much after my long and traumatic labour. Great size as well for reading during breastfeeding. Every page was healing my hurt soul and body.

[Elina Balode · Rating 4 out of 5]

Comforting.
Book in a esy-to-understand language lists things that can help the new mum recover after birth.