NAPPA Parenting Resources 2004-2005: Pregnancy & Childbirth

Beyond the Blues: A Guide to Understanding and Treating Prenatal and Postpartum Depression, by Shoshana S. Bennett, Ph.D., and Pec Indman, Ed.D., MFT; Moodswings Press, 2003; $14.95; 888-HUG-MOMS, www.beyondtheblues.com. How do you know when your baby blues are actually something more serious? This book helps new moms (and those who love them) determine whether professional help is advisable for their sadness, anxiety, stress and other symptoms. Reading it could save lives.

Parenting Your Premature Baby and Child: The Emotional Journey, by Deborah L. Davis, Ph.D., and Mara Tesler Stein, Psy.D.; Fulcrum Books, 2004; $24.95; 800-992-2908, www.fulcrum-books.com. Written by a developmental psychologist and a clinical psychologist, this 900-page tome offers every possible support to those struggling with the issues that come with delivering a child too early. Coping becomes easier with this combination of specific help and reassuring anecdotes.

The Real Deal on Breastfeeding, Playgroup Productions, 2004; $23.95 VHS, $16.95 DVD; 917-349-0315, www.realdealvideos.com. I would have had a smoother start to nursing my own babies if I’d had this reassuring and helpful visual resource! Expectant or new moms get to watch another mother as she’s shown how to breastfeed by a certified lactation consultant. Real women share their own experiences, and while they don’t make light of the benefits of nursing, they do reflect on the occasional humorous moments.