If you’re a new mama or a soon-to-be mama, you’ll hear a lot of recommendations of things you need to put on your registry or buy for your new baby. The one thing you won’t hear about is the need to take care of yourself and how important self care is for new moms. Keep reading for the top self care books for new moms that helped me get through the postpartum and newborn/infant periods.
Here are my top picks for self care books for new moms:
It’s so important to remember that you’ll have a new little one to love and take care of. It can be A LOT to handle for a first time mom and it’s natural to forget to take care of yourself. Don’t do that. You’ll be a better mama in the long run if you are mindful, aware, and most importantly enjoying the chaos that will ensue 🙂 Prioritize self care in the same way you are prioritizing your new bundle of joy. Trust me, that will help you get through the madness.
Fifth Trimester: The Working Mom’s Guide to Style, Sanity, and Success After Baby:
This book isn’t strictly about the traditional ‘self care’ routines. Instead it has tips on managing the first three months after giving birth and transitioning back into an office or workplace.
This period of time is often looked over for working moms — learning to manage being a new mom and the stresses of work can be a tricky balance. This book helped me tremendously and I often gift it to friends and coworkers.
A Heart So Full: Inspirational Messages for New Moms
I love this book because it feels like a big warm hug when you read through it. The pages are beautifully illustrated and very easy to read during feeds, during a quiet moment if the baby falls asleep in the backseat, or during a bathroom break.
It also makes a great book to include in a baby shower or new mama gift basket.
You Are a f*cking Awesome Mom: Embrace the Chaos, Get Over The Guilt, and Be True to You
If the ‘Heart So Full’ book felt like a warm hug, this book is like having cocktails with your hilarious no bull$#1t best friend. Illustrated in a way that’s also easy to read and simply hilarious… the authors have addressed nearly all the realities of motherhood from the beautiful miracle of life to the (what can feel like) a lonely struggle.
Breathe Mama, Breathe. 5-minute mindfulness
When you’re a parent, it’s easy to forget to breathe. For non-parents out there, that may sound crazy but it’s true. Breathe Mama, Breathe is written by a psychotherapist who specializes in ‘mindfulness stress reduction.’ This book has real-world examples and step by step instructions on how minutes in the day to to slow down and be more mindful.
Self-Care for New Moms: Thriving through Your Postpartum Year
This book gives actionable info and strategies for light exercise, food recipes, and ways to be mindful and manage stress through the first year of motherhood. It’s more of an in-depth book with real world case studies and examples from other mothers, rather than quick 5-minute tips.
Good Moms Have Scary Thoughts: A Healing Guide to the Secret Fears of New Mothers
The postpartum period is hard and often taboo. Very true to its title, this book helps validates the complicated thoughts and turns those stigmas into topics of discussion. It explores ideas of self doubt, self identity, relationships, ‘the dreaded 6-week check up’ and more. It’s written in a graphic novel style with funny New Yorker style cartoons so it’s a quick, worthwhile read.
You’ve got this!
And that’s my list of self care books for new moms. Each of these books touch different parts of new motherhood and touches on subjects you likely won’t hear about anywhere else. You can see that there’s a combination of inspirational quotes and aspirational moments, and more day-to-day routine, tactical things to implement into your new mama lifestyle. You’ll obviously have your hands full so all of these books come as audiobooks too. Happy reading!