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Maybe Baby: On the Mother Side
The honest, entertaining and brilliantly relatable Sunday Times bestseller.
Kate Lawler has never been maternal. And yet here she mother to Noa, after years of going back and forth about having children at all. This is the story of her journey from parentally undecided to early motherhood, via raging hormones, sleepless nights, emergency hospital trips, mum guilt, unspoken regrets and post-natal depression.
This book is not a parenting manual. It won't tell you what to pack in your hospital bag, or how to get your baby to sleep. It may not help you with feeding or dealing with tantrums. But it will show you that you're not alone - and that it's perfectly possible, and maybe even normal, to love your child with all of your heart while also feeling lost, alone and resentful.
Whether you're an expectant parent, a new parent, firmly in the thick of it, or still parentally undecided, this book is for you, as Kate writes honestly and hilariously about the ups and downs of pregnancy, birth and early parenting, as well as the impact of a new baby on relationships, your sense of self and everything in between. It's a book that, with Kate's usual candour and wit, will help mums and dads everywhere feel seen - and completely understood.
' Wow what a read! I love it. Kate's honest, open, funny account of motherhood with all its highs and lows is a breath of fresh air and relatable for so many.' Gemma Atkinson
'Honest, brave and relatable mixed with humour. Kate, you've nailed it. Whether you are an expectant parent or simply not sure, Maybe Baby will give you tears and laughter - both in equal measures!' Frankie Bridge
'Maybe Baby is beautifully honest, open and brilliant. Full of humorous anecdotes, Kate has written a book for the EVERY-woman - those wanting children, those not, and those who are indecisively on the fence about the whole thing. Kate sharing her experiences, especially with PND, will help open up important conversations and support so many going through a similar situation.' Giovanna Fletcher
'This isn't just another mum book. Raw, honest, brutally funny, Kate has nailed the highs, lows, peaks and troughs of this rollercoaster of a parental ride.' Anna Whitehouse
Kate Lawler has never been maternal. And yet here she mother to Noa, after years of going back and forth about having children at all. This is the story of her journey from parentally undecided to early motherhood, via raging hormones, sleepless nights, emergency hospital trips, mum guilt, unspoken regrets and post-natal depression.
This book is not a parenting manual. It won't tell you what to pack in your hospital bag, or how to get your baby to sleep. It may not help you with feeding or dealing with tantrums. But it will show you that you're not alone - and that it's perfectly possible, and maybe even normal, to love your child with all of your heart while also feeling lost, alone and resentful.
Whether you're an expectant parent, a new parent, firmly in the thick of it, or still parentally undecided, this book is for you, as Kate writes honestly and hilariously about the ups and downs of pregnancy, birth and early parenting, as well as the impact of a new baby on relationships, your sense of self and everything in between. It's a book that, with Kate's usual candour and wit, will help mums and dads everywhere feel seen - and completely understood.
' Wow what a read! I love it. Kate's honest, open, funny account of motherhood with all its highs and lows is a breath of fresh air and relatable for so many.' Gemma Atkinson
'Honest, brave and relatable mixed with humour. Kate, you've nailed it. Whether you are an expectant parent or simply not sure, Maybe Baby will give you tears and laughter - both in equal measures!' Frankie Bridge
'Maybe Baby is beautifully honest, open and brilliant. Full of humorous anecdotes, Kate has written a book for the EVERY-woman - those wanting children, those not, and those who are indecisively on the fence about the whole thing. Kate sharing her experiences, especially with PND, will help open up important conversations and support so many going through a similar situation.' Giovanna Fletcher
'This isn't just another mum book. Raw, honest, brutally funny, Kate has nailed the highs, lows, peaks and troughs of this rollercoaster of a parental ride.' Anna Whitehouse
304 pages, Hardcover
Published November 1, 2022
31 people are currently reading
100 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
March 23, 2022
I love Kate, and would probably buy anything she writes, but I need to get over the disappointment first.
Let me start by warning you that, if you follow Kate on Instagram, there is little new you will find within these pages.
And herein lies my frustration with this book. It feels very superficial. It is only scratching the surface of whatever its topic is (is it the reluctance to have children, the difficulty of raising them, PND or is it a self-help book?). It just lacks genuinity. I feel that, if you decide to write a personal account, you have to be prepared to dig deep, to expose yourself to the core. Kate fails to do that. She remains the good old people-pleaser, always politically correct Kate throughout. And she gives lots of advice, which, as someone who's raised two babies without a night nanny and a shrink, annoyed the hell out of me.
The little snippets of Kate's friend, mother, doula, partner telling the reader what a good job she is doing as a mother felt out of place and cringeworthy.
I always thought that Kate's best trait was her sense of humour but it, sadly, makes no appearance in the book.
I am baffled by the critics calling the book honest, funny and raw as it is none of those, in my opinion.
But I am giving it a second star because it's Kate, and I still love her. She cracks me up. She makes me smile. I love Tayto, and Boj, and the doggies and am happy that they are past the difficult times. I just think that maybe Kate should stick to the radio and leave writing to people who are not afraid to say it as it is.
Let me start by warning you that, if you follow Kate on Instagram, there is little new you will find within these pages.
And herein lies my frustration with this book. It feels very superficial. It is only scratching the surface of whatever its topic is (is it the reluctance to have children, the difficulty of raising them, PND or is it a self-help book?). It just lacks genuinity. I feel that, if you decide to write a personal account, you have to be prepared to dig deep, to expose yourself to the core. Kate fails to do that. She remains the good old people-pleaser, always politically correct Kate throughout. And she gives lots of advice, which, as someone who's raised two babies without a night nanny and a shrink, annoyed the hell out of me.
The little snippets of Kate's friend, mother, doula, partner telling the reader what a good job she is doing as a mother felt out of place and cringeworthy.
I always thought that Kate's best trait was her sense of humour but it, sadly, makes no appearance in the book.
I am baffled by the critics calling the book honest, funny and raw as it is none of those, in my opinion.
But I am giving it a second star because it's Kate, and I still love her. She cracks me up. She makes me smile. I love Tayto, and Boj, and the doggies and am happy that they are past the difficult times. I just think that maybe Kate should stick to the radio and leave writing to people who are not afraid to say it as it is.
June 26, 2022
Enjoyed this book was an insight to read the authors joy of early motherhood
April 22, 2022
I wish this book existed 4/5 years ago. Women need more women like Kate Lawler!
June 19, 2022
Bloody brilllliiiiaaaannnnnttttt! A must read for new mums, honest views on motherhood.
January 9, 2024
One word review: honest.
March 18, 2022
Made me laugh made me cry. Very touching and Kate narrates her story brilliantly on audio book.
September 6, 2023
Loved Kates energy and honest storytelling! Although, it felt more like a re-telling of their birth story and first year to a friend, rather than what I expected this book to be. More about the hardship of motherhood more in depth etc.
Despite this, I recognised myself in many situations about the PPD and darkness or early motherhood and made me tear up at some points.
Despite this, I recognised myself in many situations about the PPD and darkness or early motherhood and made me tear up at some points.
March 26, 2022
I just wanted to note for perspective on my review that I have no children and currently don't want to have children, therefore I can't review this book based upon how helpful it would be to new-mothers or those struggling with post-natal depression.
Kate's book provides a realistic and honest perspective of what the first year of motherhood was like for her, hopefully it will encourage others to talk openly about their experiences so that there is a more balanced picture amongst the social media perfection that prevails, not just for new parents who may be struggling but for those who might be sitting on the fence and unsure whether to have children.
The book follows Kate through the first year of her Daughter Noa's life, she talks openly and honestly about her struggles with post-natal depression and anxiety, the things that helped her and the things that didn't. For those that follow Kate on social media a lot of the information within the book has already been shared on Instagram but it is still a worthwhile read. It is written in a friendly, conversational tone and is an easy read.
I'd describe this as more of a comforting book than a self-help book so maybe if you are looking for tips and information this might not be the book for you. Although that's not to say that there aren't plenty of tips given but I just wanted to note that some may not be financially accessible to everyone (such as private therapy or Doula's). However it would be a comforting read for anyone wanting to feel less alone.
If I had to find criticism it would be that I think it would have benefited from being chronological as it does jump around a bit at times and (on the Kindle version at least) there are a lot of words that are hyphenated that shouldn't be such as mo-ment, hap-pen, per-manent etc and I don't think this was an intentional thing but I'm not sure why it wasn't edited out, however it's hardly a major thing and I had grown used to it by the end.
Kate's book provides a realistic and honest perspective of what the first year of motherhood was like for her, hopefully it will encourage others to talk openly about their experiences so that there is a more balanced picture amongst the social media perfection that prevails, not just for new parents who may be struggling but for those who might be sitting on the fence and unsure whether to have children.
The book follows Kate through the first year of her Daughter Noa's life, she talks openly and honestly about her struggles with post-natal depression and anxiety, the things that helped her and the things that didn't. For those that follow Kate on social media a lot of the information within the book has already been shared on Instagram but it is still a worthwhile read. It is written in a friendly, conversational tone and is an easy read.
I'd describe this as more of a comforting book than a self-help book so maybe if you are looking for tips and information this might not be the book for you. Although that's not to say that there aren't plenty of tips given but I just wanted to note that some may not be financially accessible to everyone (such as private therapy or Doula's). However it would be a comforting read for anyone wanting to feel less alone.
If I had to find criticism it would be that I think it would have benefited from being chronological as it does jump around a bit at times and (on the Kindle version at least) there are a lot of words that are hyphenated that shouldn't be such as mo-ment, hap-pen, per-manent etc and I don't think this was an intentional thing but I'm not sure why it wasn't edited out, however it's hardly a major thing and I had grown used to it by the end.
July 5, 2022
I follow Kate Lawler on Instagram because she’s always been refreshingly honest about her parenthood journey. Here she turns her Maybe Baby podcast into a book discussing everything from the initial decision to have a child through to postnatal depression and useful tips for new parents.
This was THE best thing I could have read at the start of my own journey as a mum. It was so relatable, and it was like having someone whispering in my ear that it’s all going to be okay, no matter how incredibly difficult it can be initially.
Kate is as truthful as ever, even confessing to wanting to end her own life in her darkest days when her daughter was tiny. I’m so glad she sought the help she needed and now adores being a mum.
I wholeheartedly recommend this to any new parent. It’s not a manual, but it’s the most beneficial thing I’ve read about the rollercoaster of starting a family. Thank you Kate for telling your story and helping others with theirs.
This was THE best thing I could have read at the start of my own journey as a mum. It was so relatable, and it was like having someone whispering in my ear that it’s all going to be okay, no matter how incredibly difficult it can be initially.
Kate is as truthful as ever, even confessing to wanting to end her own life in her darkest days when her daughter was tiny. I’m so glad she sought the help she needed and now adores being a mum.
I wholeheartedly recommend this to any new parent. It’s not a manual, but it’s the most beneficial thing I’ve read about the rollercoaster of starting a family. Thank you Kate for telling your story and helping others with theirs.
December 24, 2024
Struggling as I have been through the newborn days, I’ve found myself turning to relatable TV series, podcasts and books to remind myself that I’m not alone and that soon the days are going to be brighter.
As a big fan of Kate Lawler (if you don’t follow her on instagram, you must, her content is 𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬) I remembered how hard a time Kate had gone through with Noa in the early days and so started reading her account. Bless her, she really didn’t have an easy time but she’s such a fabulous mummy to little Noa and has definitely reminded me that things will not always be so difficult.
Kate’s story is equal parts honest, raw and hilarious. I loved the tips she gives at the end of the book.
As a big fan of Kate Lawler (if you don’t follow her on instagram, you must, her content is 𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬) I remembered how hard a time Kate had gone through with Noa in the early days and so started reading her account. Bless her, she really didn’t have an easy time but she’s such a fabulous mummy to little Noa and has definitely reminded me that things will not always be so difficult.
Kate’s story is equal parts honest, raw and hilarious. I loved the tips she gives at the end of the book.
September 2, 2022
Read this when my third baby was 7 weeks old and was so reassuring and refreshingly real :) Having had two other children (now 8 and 12 years old) I think I had blocked out just how challenging the first weeks/months/year is but that it really is just a phase and does continually get better. In the mean time, it’s ok to constantly hold your newborn if that’s what they need (it’s not forever!) and I loved Kate’s advice on resetting at the end of the day since as a sleep-deprived new parent couple you will bicker and say things you do not mean.. Parenting is hard and that is normal - there is light at the end of the newborn tunnel!
September 13, 2022
After listening to Kate and Boj's podcast I decided to give this book a listen on audible. I listened/read within 24 hours. It made me feel like I was having an honest and down to earth conversation with a friend. Whilst I don't have children myself I'm very much back and fourth on the idea of children. I guess it depends on the day you ask. But this was why I felt like I related to Kate's story and situation so well. It's nice to know she is happy with her choices and for timing that she did things at. An amazing story and an honest account of her own journey to motherhood and beyond!
March 8, 2024
A brutally honest account of how postnatal depression can affect a woman’s start to motherhood. It’s refreshing to see such an honest account that it can be extremely tough for some women and some of the normal social-expectations for how women should ‘cope and thrive’ are sometimes quite toxic. I hope this book helped lots of other new or expecting mothers out there.
April 4, 2024
I loved this - great as an audiobook to hear exactly how Kate wanted it to be heard, and to hear her range of emotion in each chapter.
If you like Kate or just want some baby advice, this is the book for you. It is all about her and Boj’s experience with having Noa, with some advice in there for you to learn from. I love Kate’s personality and hilarity, so I found this such a great book.
If you like Kate or just want some baby advice, this is the book for you. It is all about her and Boj’s experience with having Noa, with some advice in there for you to learn from. I love Kate’s personality and hilarity, so I found this such a great book.
March 18, 2022
i’ve loved kate since she was on big brother and have followed her journey on insta for the last 2-3 years so i enjoyed this a lot, it felt very authentic, the audio was read by kate and was really great too.
June 15, 2022
Relatable and honest
Loved the fact that it is very honest, easy to read and relatable - a lot of women have been, are or will be in similar situations and should know that help is there for a reason and should use any resource they possibly can
Loved the fact that it is very honest, easy to read and relatable - a lot of women have been, are or will be in similar situations and should know that help is there for a reason and should use any resource they possibly can
June 19, 2022
Brillllllliant
Absolutely brilliant. Couldn't put it down. So moving and heart warming. Emotional and fantastically funny in parts
Knowing that your not the only one and there's help out there .
Absolutely brilliant. Couldn't put it down. So moving and heart warming. Emotional and fantastically funny in parts
Knowing that your not the only one and there's help out there .
July 28, 2022
As a big fan of Kate’s Insta I felt like I knew a lot of what was in this book. That said it was great to read her journey of being a new mum in one go and I raced through it in a day. Very brave of her to speak to candidly about her experiences and PND, I would highly recommend.
August 17, 2022
I knew I would enjoy this! I am a big fan of Kate on Instagram and love her honesty about motherhood. Sadly I could relate to a lot throughout this and it did bring back some dark memories but also some fond ones too.
Really rate this book!
Really rate this book!
January 26, 2025
A decent read. I really like Kate and the book was what I expected. I feel like I’d heard a lot of the stories in interviews she did though and would have liked to hear a bit more of how she felt and coped during postpartum but that’s just personal preference.
March 27, 2022
Brilliant couldn't put it down.
May 1, 2022
A true honest review on motherhood. I look forward to following Kate’s and Noa’s journey following this book.
May 29, 2022
A book I wish I read before I had my baby. Honest, funny and a dose of reality
June 18, 2022
Brilllieeennnttttt
What a fabulously fab honest and truthful read on what challenges motherhood can bring to any new parents...what a great read!
What a fabulously fab honest and truthful read on what challenges motherhood can bring to any new parents...what a great read!
April 4, 2022
Well done Kate for sharing your story wider than your Instagram family and highlighting your PND journey. You're bloody brrrrillllient!
July 24, 2022
Full review here: https://theresnoenjoymentlikereading....
July 17, 2022
I was slightly disappointed with this, as I thought she would talk more about how she was so undecided about becoming a mother, but she just skirted over that! I liked how open and honest she was about having an abortion and the mental health she suffered. But I did think it was a bit tone deaf of her to just speak about all the help she hired and her work allowing her more time off for maternity - not everyone had this luxury!!
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews