This is a joint giveaway with Up, Down And Natural and Natural Parents Network. You may enter at one site only. Please find the section marked "Win it!" for the mandatory entry and optional bonus entries.
The authors of The Other Baby Book are offering our readers a giveaway copy, a value of $12.99. This is a QUICK giveaway, so enter today! This book is a wonderfully written parenting book with no-nonsense advice from two natural parenting mamas who have been there and done that. They tell it like it is, without judgment and with loving, sound, and gentle advice.
I don't like parenting books. There, I said it. My reason for not liking them is I don't like being preached to about what I "need" to raise a baby. I also don't enjoy the underlying tone of "How do you not know this already?" in most parenting books. Luckily for moms everywhere, The Other Baby Book isn't a parenting book. It's just a comfortable dialogue from two moms, Megan Massaro and Miriam Katz, who parent with their heart, and empower parents everywhere to do the same, while offering practical tips of how they overcame some of the hurdles. Truth be told, they had me sold right in the intro with this:
"The goal of our book is not to have you adopt and master everything. If something doesn't resonate with you, no matter how many studies back it up, follow Emerson's lead: "Trust thyself - every heart vibrates to that iron string."
One of my favourite features of this book was the "Overheard" snippets, where Megan and Miriam include sound waves from moms who have "been there, done that," and tell it like it is. I like that the book, while natural minded, does remain open to other paths as well — especially when necessary. Personally, I am very sensitive about the fact that I will most likely need a c-section, and do very often wonder, "Well, what if I could birth at home or in a birthing center…?" When I reached the "Hospital Birth" heading, I braced myself for c-section stats and the normal "How could you ever!!" While there were stats, it was comforting to read of helpful ways to keep your birth as natural as is right for you, while still allowing for the fact that medical technologies are now there for when necessary. Throughout this book I was reassured by things that I desperately want, but keep thinking is not the norm, such as having a doula attend in the hospital:
"While doulas can support moms in any birthing environment, they’re especially helpful at hospital births when moms want to avoid unnecessary procedures. They’ll interpret medical jargon into easy-to-understand bites, and guide you through the pros and cons of every stage."
Organization is the spice of life. At least, it is for Type A personalities like myself. I love how well organized this book is, not only from chapter to chapter, but also within chapters via subheadings. I am certain through pregnancy and the first year, I'll be referencing this book for tips and tricks, and reassurance that "this is normal." The easy to find information, and easy to understand language, contribute to feeling like this is simply advice that your best girlfriends wrote down for you. The one "con" I found in this book was really a con mixed with appreciation. It took me a lot longer to read this book than normal…and not because I'm a slow reader. These ladies lay it all out, and talk honestly. A few times during the book, I had to put it down and let myself recover. A key one was this gem when discussing sex after birth:
"Birthing a baby is almost like having a small bomb explode in your vagina (or abdomen, if you had a C-section)."
Not going to lie, it took me a little while to shake that one off. While it's great, invaluable information that no one else tells you, there are definitely a few chapters I would not want to read while pregnant and hormonal. I'm very thankful to have this read under my belt pre-pregnancy! Verdict: Would I buy this? Absolutely!! Would I recommend it to friends? Definitely!! The Other Baby Book will for sure be in my go-to baby shower gift basket.
BUY IT!
You can purchase your own copy of The Other Baby Book in either a Kindle Edition ($5.99), or Paperback ($12.99) here on Amazon!
WIN IT!
For your own chance to win your very own copy of The Other Baby Book, enter in the comments below. Contest is open worldwide!
MANDATORY ENTRY: Visit The Other Baby Book website and tell us one thing that interests you about the book or the authors!
Leave a valid email address in your comments (the line where it says "email address") so we can contact you if you win. Email addresses are not made publicly visible. This is a joint giveaway with Up, Down & Natural and Natural Parents Network. You may enter at one site only, and we'll be recording IP addresses to ensure that there are no duplicate entries. That said, please do visit and enjoy both sites! BONUS ENTRIES: See the Rafflecopter entry system for bonus entries to increase your chance of winning after completing the mandatory entry. Bonus entries are entered directly into Rafflecopter. Give it a try, and email or leave a comment if you have any questions!
Contest closes April 16 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.
What a great give away. I can't wait to read this!
Posted by: Deanna Norris | 04/11/2012 at 07:08 PM
I am really not a big fan of most parenting books and the style in which they are written, so I have pretty much avoided them completely, but I really love the sound of this one, especially as it is written by two down to earth mums who sound like they have a similar parenting style to me! :)
Posted by: Fiona Austin | 04/11/2012 at 07:33 PM
Yay! I visited their site and love the tone~it is friendly and focuses on relationship over 'how to.' Would LOVE this book! =)
Posted by: Melissa Vose | 04/11/2012 at 08:49 PM
Would love to read this! I love that Miriam is affiliated with "DiaperFreeBaby" :)
Posted by: Beth | 04/12/2012 at 02:06 PM
I have been to their site a few times, and went there again today...what I love most about this book (and the authors) is that they really focus on the importance of connection for babies, and do this is a way that doesn't seem daunting! They give parents real, possible ways to have a more connected family!
Posted by: Kat @ Loving {Almost} Every Moment | 04/12/2012 at 06:59 PM
What interests me about the book is that it guides new and expecting mamas on a journey past “shoulds” and “musts,” back to the heart of true joy and relationship - as they say "Letting go into joy" and "a mother’s instinct is the best resource". I can't wait to read this book...!
Posted by: Susannah | 04/14/2012 at 02:13 PM