Resources - Research and Learning and Valued Organizations
Valued Organizations
Parenting is a tough job. It's even harder when you seem to be the only mom who is doing things "differently" -- whether that means seeking out or learning about natural therapies for your family, eating organic foods, breastfeeding, co-sleeping, homeschooling, cloth diapering, fighting commercialism, being interested in environmental conservation, or what have you. But there are moms out there just like you who are seeking to nurture their children and to empower themselves!
Holistic Moms Network members share a common bond: a desire to be the best parents possible by providing our children with a physical, psychological, and spiritual environment that will nourish them and allow them to reach their greatest potential. To nurture our children, we strive to educate ourselves and to make choices that will enable them in mind, body, and spirit.
Holistic Moms Network members share a common bond: a desire to be the best parents possible by providing our children with a physical, psychological, and spiritual environment that will nourish them and allow them to reach their greatest potential. To nurture our children, we strive to educate ourselves and to make choices that will enable them in mind, body, and spirit.
La Leche League was founded to give information and encouragement, mainly through personal help, to all mothers who want to breastfeed their babies. While complementing the care of the physician and other health care professionals, it recognizes the unique importance of one mother helping another to perceive the needs of her child and to learn the best means of fulfilling those needs.
La Leche League believes that breastfeeding, with its many important physical and psychological advantages, is best for baby and mother and is the ideal way to initiate good parent-child relationships. The loving help and support of the father enables the mother to focus on mothering so that together the parents develop close relationships which strengthen the family and thus the whole fabric of society.
La Leche League believes that breastfeeding, with its many important physical and psychological advantages, is best for baby and mother and is the ideal way to initiate good parent-child relationships. The loving help and support of the father enables the mother to focus on mothering so that together the parents develop close relationships which strengthen the family and thus the whole fabric of society.
Our "Doulas Dozen" Recommended Reading for Pregnancy, Birth, and Baby Care
Active Birth
Janet Balaskas
A copiously illustrated guide to labor and birthing positions, for maximum comfort and efficiency of labor contractions.
The Birth Book
William Sears, M.D. and Martha Sears, R.N.
Bill and Martha Sears are uniquely qualified to answer every question you might have about the birth process. This book contains everything you need to know to have a safe and satisfying birth.
The Baby Book*
William Sears, M.D. and Martha Sears, R.N.
This book effectively answers any parenting question that might occur in the first two years, while considering the latest medical research and advocating gentle parenting.
Spiritual Midwifery* and Ina May's Guide to Childbirth
Ina May Gaskin
Everything you need to know to have the best birth experience for you - whether in a hospital, birth center or the at home. Ina May's experience and insights that she brought to Spiritual Midwifery are updated for a new generation in Ina May's Guide. This is a great source of positive birth stories.
Special Delivery
Rahima Baldwin
Used by thousands of couples in childbirth classes throughout America -- more than 75,000 copies sold. Originally written for birth at home, it has been revised to include comprehensive preparation for hospital and birth center births as well.
The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth*
Henci Goer
Birth activist Henci Goer gives clear, concise information based on the latest medical studies. This book helps parents compare and contrast options and to avoid unnecessary procedures.
Birth as an American Rite of Passage
Robbie Davis-Floyd
Davis-Floyd is an anthropologist who provides in-depth analysis of current birth practices in the U.S. An excellent look into the political anthropology of birth and gender roles in the U.S.; offers telling interviews with women and health care providers. Recommended for fathers and others who will be supporting the labor process in a hospital setting.
Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year
Susun Weed
This is an excellent resource for anyone who wants to learn more about healing and maintaining health with herbs and plants.
Womanly Art of Breastfeeding
La Leche League International
Includes the latest information and research on breastfeeding. Considers the needs of fathers and working mothers. An excellent guidebook with an abundance of parenting information. While a great resource, not recommended for cover-to-cover reading.
Nursing Mother, Working Mother
Gale Pryor
A wonderful, supportive book for working mothers who want to continue breastfeeding after returning to work. Covers everything a working mother needs to know about the basics of breastfeeding; choosing and using a breast pump; ways to store and transport milk safely; how to get support from co-workers and child-care helpers; and much more.
You are Your Child's First Teacher
Rahima Baldwin Dancy
A comprehensive guide to understanding childhood development of the human being in body, mind, and spirit from birth to age six. In increasing the understanding of this development, parents will then be equipped to make their own "best decisions" based in both cognitive and intuitive knowledge.
Birthing From Within*
Pam England and Rob Horowitz
Different than other informative childbirth preparation guidebooks, Pam England offers creative ways for birthing women to discover their own strengths and needs for birth and afterwards.
*These are our most highly recommended must-reads. If you lay your hands on no other birth books at all, read these! These four books alone will give you a solid foundation of what you need to know regarding medical information, education, inner discovery, and readiness for parenting.