Book Recommendations
A village of wisdom for your fourth trimester and beyond
These books offer nourishment — not just for the body, but for the spirit, the identity shift, the quiet griefs and fierce joys of early motherhood. Some are practical, some poetic, and all are part of the Earthside village we wish every mother had access to.
For Nourishment, Rest & Healing
The First Forty Days: The Essential Art of Nourishing the New Mother
by Heng Ou
A beautifully illustrated guide based on traditional Chinese postpartum practices. Emphasizes rest, ritual, and nutrient-rich food to help mothers feel held and restored.
firstfortydays.com
Village for Mama
by Leila Armour
44 postpartum recipes and 30 recipe gift cards to help mothers plan meal support. A perfect baby shower or blessingway gift — and a soft place to land in those hazy first weeks.
villageformama.com
The Golden Month: Nourishing the New Mother Through Ayurveda
by Jenny Allison
A gentle, Ayurvedic perspective on postpartum care rooted in warmth, massage, herbs, and intuitive living. Especially resonant for those wanting holistic, body-based healing.
Booktopia
Nurture the Seed
by Renee Jennings & Georgia Gregory
Wholefood, evidence-based postpartum nutrition from an Australian Accredited Practising Dietitian. Filled with real food wisdom and gentle reminders to nourish the mother.
Buy the book
For Emotional Support & Inner Reflection
Life After Birth
by Jessica Prescott & Vaughne Geary
A celebration and honest portrayal of postpartum in all its raw, beautiful, and contradictory layers. Think real mother stories, recipes, rituals, and tender reflections.
lifeafterbirth.com.au
The Birth Space: A Doula's Guide to Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond
by Gabrielle Nancarrow
A soulful, poetic guide to pregnancy and postpartum, honouring birth as a sacred rite of passage. Full of affirmations, stories, and space-holding wisdom.
gabriellenancarrow.com
Growing Together
by Carson Meyer
A journal-meets-guidebook that offers reflection prompts, intuitive wisdom, and space to document your experience of early motherhood. Tender, modern, and calming.
Booktopia
For Breastfeeding Support & Wisdom
Ina May’s Guide to Breastfeeding
by Ina May Gaskin
One of the most empowering, woman-centered guides to breastfeeding. Combines practical advice with cultural insight and encouragement from one of the world’s most beloved midwives.
Booktopia
The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding
by La Leche League International
An iconic resource covering all things feeding — deeply supportive for those navigating challenges or wanting holistic reassurance.
For Mental Health & Emotional Wellness
Good Moms Have Scary Thoughts
by Karen Kleiman
An honest and validating look at postpartum anxiety, intrusive thoughts, and overwhelm — paired with beautiful illustrations and affirming messages.
What No One Tells You
by Alexandra Sacks & Catherine Birndorf
A roadmap to the emotional landscape of new motherhood from reproductive psychiatrists. Normalizes the wide range of feelings in the postpartum journey.