Mother Matters: A Holistic Guide to Being a Happy, Healthy Mom

by Dayna M. Kurtz

Millions of mothers are born each year. From the moment a baby is born, the world seems to focus on childcare, but what about mothercare? Enter Dayna Kurtz, the brains behind Huffington Post's Mother Matters blog. From postpartum depression and "baby blues" to healing meals and postnatal exercise, Kurtz guides new and veteran mothers alike through the best practices to care for themselves while mothering their little one(s). Her unique approach also includes less common methods like acupressure, expressive arts therapy, and more to help mothers boost their mental health and reclaim their identity. Backed by irrefutable research and personal anecdotes, Mother Matters is the guide every mother needs to not only survive but thrive!

Genres: Parenting

Unknown Binding

About the author

Dayna M. Kurtz, LMSW, CPT, is a leading authority on the subject of women transitioning to motherhood and serves as Director of the Anna Keefe Women's Center at the Training Institute for Mental Health in Manhattan. She is a licensed social worker and NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine) Certified Personal Trainer with an additional certification in training pre- and postnatal clients. Dayna is a contributor to The Doctor's Book of Natural Remedies (Rodale, 2017). Dayna also serves as a Real Answers expert on TheBump.com. She has written or been consulted on articles for the websites of The Today Show, Pregnancy & Newborn, Big City Moms, Pregnancy Corner, and WAGmagazine among others, and writes the Mother Matters blog for the Huffington Post. A sought-after speaker, Dayna regularly presents on the subject of mothercare.

Reviews

[Alan Steinfeld · Rating 5 out of 5]

My wife picked up this book and I was intrigued by the idea behind the title. It never occured to me that along with every new baby comes a new mother. I decided to skim through it and was hooked.
While every woman may have a maternal instinct, there is no shortage of books, blogs and podcasts to help her learn how to provide for her baby. But a font of information to help her transition to her new role as mother? Harder to come by and especially hard to find authoritative sources.

That's what impressed me about the book. It's clearly written, practical information is based on verified studies done by experts in the field. That said, it is also a fun read, full of anecdotes from real life experiences which are a great source of both instruction and inspiration.

I only hope that Dayna follows this up with a similar book for new dads!

[Rena Steinfeld · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it! Mother Matters is filled with helpful, practical, evidenced-based guidance for every mom.
It's informative, engagingly written, entertaining and a book that moms will want to refer to often. Every mother deserves to treat herself to the gifts contained in this guide to a "happy, healthy mom."

[Jason Kurtz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just because I'm biased doesn't mean that I'm wrong. This is a book that every mother and mother-to-be should have. This easy to read book is filled with well researched, easy to follow advice, aimed at helping mothers take better care of their minds and bodies while they are giving their all to their children. Being a mother, for all the privilege, can be exhausting. Buy Mother Matters today and see how it is possible to take care of yourself, even while caring for your family. You'll be glad that you did.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally, a book that pays some long overdue attention to the needs of mothers! There are so many kernels of wisdom in here that I learned for the first time---like an acupressure point that bolsters lactation?! How did I not know this before? Thank you Dayna Kurtz! I love the author's voice too--she writes in a clear, accessible way and without any judgment or bias. This is the perfect baby-shower gift to accompany those onesies. A must-read for sure.

[Lisa Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our children come first in our lives, but at what cost? A mentally healthy mother is a more effective parent, partner and friend to all. It's so important to take care of ourselves. By doing so, we will thrive. Ms. Kurtz details ways to help keep our brains and bodies healthy plus work toward an overall more fulfilling parenting experience. This book is a great reminder that mothers DO matter.

[Carla Manly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mother Matters is splendid, down-to-earth guide for mothers of all ages. Filled with insightful facts and easy-to-follow tips, this must-read book speaks to the importance of self-care and loving awareness in the journey of motherhood. As a clinical psychologist, mother, and wellness expert, I am thrilled to give this treasure my heartfelt recommendation! What a gem!

[Dani · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a gift from a friend. Overall, this book presents many ways for new mom's to find and keep their sense of self. I also enjoyed some of the suggested activities to do with your baby - exercises, massage, art. It was also nice to take a break from reading about the baby & parenting, to reading a book about my emotional and physical health during postpartum and new motherhood.

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing Book, learned so much!