Books
This list could probably be un-exhaustive. We seek to give you an introduction here and allow you to research for further reading yourself. These books have been highly-praised for both content and style and we hope they resonate with you and prove helpful...
Attached at The Heart by Barbara Nicholson & Lysa Parker - written by the two mothers who founded Attachment Parenting International over 15 years ago. This is a must-read for those new to AP as well as those who already feel well versed. Highly recommended!
Playful Parenting by Lawrence Cohen - Cohen's award-winning book addresses the notion of play as a way of nurturing close connections, building confidence and overcoming challenging behaviour. He also discusses adult reluctance to play and offers fun ideas to overcome barriers and allow us to follow our child's lead. His book The Art of Roughhousing is well worth reading too.
Raising our Children, Raising Ourselves by Naomi Aldort - a parenting book with a radical premise that the adult/child relationship need not be one of domination or punishment but one of authenticity and respect. Aldort's SALVE formula challenges parents to recondition their inherited parenting style to find true freedom and joy.
Hold on to Your Kids by Gordon Neufeld & Gabor Mate - a book to be taken seriously because it proposes the concept of 'peer orientation' in which children seek acceptance from those unable to offer the guidance and love available from parents/adults. There are concrete examples and clear ideas to help parents fulfil their instinctive role as children grow into and through adolescence and places strong attachment at the heart of the matter.
Why Love Matters: How Affection Shapes a Baby's Brain by Sue Gerhardt- often described as an essential read for carers of children, this book distils current science into a lively and illuminating format. Gerhardt explains the effect of early treatment of children within the context of social and emotional brain development and blends findings from the fields of neuroscience, psychology and biochemistry.
How to Talk so Kids will Listen, & Listen so Kids will Talk by Adele Faber & Elaine Mazlish - based on a series of workshops developed by the authors, this book is a fun and easily accessible tool kit of communication tools to improve relationships in each unique family. Cartoon illustrations and exercises to try out are very helpful and the authors other book, Siblings Without Rivalry is another worthwhile read.
How Children Learn by John Holt - written in the 1960's and detailing observations of natural learning in young children this book is as relevant today as then.
Unconditional Parenting by Alfie Kohn - Kohn's book includes wonderful anecdotes and shows deep understanding of why punishments and rewards within conventional wisdom need to be challenged, and why love and reason foster a long-term approach to positive behaviour and self-development.
Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life by Marshall B. Rosenberg - a well-presented book offering tools to foster empathic communication and emotional honesty. The book presents stories, examples and dialogue to help provide solutions to conflict and negative patterns of behaviour. NVC can be practiced in all relationships and can nurture true trust and confidence between parents and children.
Adventures in Tandem Nursing by Hilary Flower - full of cartoones, anecdotes and covering just about every conceivable challenge; emotional, practical and familial that a tandem nursing mother might experience. This book is easy to dip into, is well resourced and data is evidence-based.
The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding by La Leche League International - the first book of its kind when published, this book addresses all issues relating to human milk composition, supply, benefits and much more. It's holistic approach also addresses maternal needs and maternal health during the breastfeeding relationship.
Baby-led Weaning by Gill Rapley & Tracey Murkett - a nutritional approach that gives children the opportunity to explore solid food and develop taste at their own pace. Rather than purees and weaning spoons the idea is that children can become skilled and confident eaters of their own accord.
Sleeping With Your Baby: A Parent's Guide to Cosleeping by Dr James McKenna - written by world leading parent/child sleep researcher, this book offers extensive evidence-based information supporting secure and benefical cosleeping while also including a guide outlining possible hazards and guidelines of how to sleep safely.
Diaper Free: The Gentle Wisdom of Natural Infant Hygiene by Ingrid Bauer - an interesting look at how babies experience their own hygiene needs and offers a unique solution to the problems of nappies filling landfill, causing nappy-rash and costing money. Responding to the baby's elimination signs can foster bonding and promote autonomy.
The Continuum Concept by Jean Leidloff - one of the most influencial parenting books of the last 100 years this book is not a parenting manual, rather an insight into tribal life and the dynamics of family, childbirth and childhood and advocates constant physical contact as a necessary experience for infants from birth.
and one last one, just for fun...!
Tales from a Travelling Mum by Alice Griffin - a non-fiction tale of a babywearing mum's experience of travelling during the first two years of her daughters life.