Category: Books

8/15/2018

Goodnight Baby: books for bedtime

Do you love your incorporating books into your bedtime routine with baby? We know we do. Here's a few recommendations from Doulas of Iowa City members Grace of Iowa City Birth Services and Johanna of Nested Mama to add something new in your bedtime reading routine.

Dream Animals: A Bedtime Journey by Emily Winfield Martin

This whimsical, imaginative book focuses on the journey children will take through their dreams at night while they sleep. The magical illustrations paint dreamy pictures of animals, creatures, fairies, elves, mermaids, circuses, and more! ~Grace

The Going to Bed Book by Sandra Boynton

The quintessential bedtime story for littles, The Going To Bed Book by Sandra Boynton is a favorite of babies and toddlers alike. Like most of Sandra’s books, this one features a rhyming cast of illustrated animal characters, this time in an ark-like boat going through their night time routine and getting ready for bed. ~Grace

Sleep Tight, Sleepy Bears by Margaret Wise Brown

Well known for Goodnight, Moon, Margaret Wise Brown's short story of two sleepy bears, one big and one little, offers a calming story. Read it as written or take turn acting out the parts done by the big and little bears. My little ones especially enjoy exaggerated yawning and closing our eyes in step with the story. ~Johanna

Pajama Time! by Sandra Boynton

Sandra Boynton's books are favorites of both kids and grownups in our house and Pajama Time! is no exception to that rule. The funny description of PJs as well as the progressive chanting makes this a short and sweet read to put everyone in a good mood at bedtime. As you can tell, the board book helps this one last longer than other books, too. ~Johanna

The Book of Sleep by il Sung Na

This short, simple book illustrates and describes the many ways that different animals sleep. The pictures are funky and unique, featuring different patterns and textures.
~Grace

Goodnight Iowa by Adam Gamble and Mark Jasper

Written in the style of Goodnight Moon, Goodnight Iowa features different landmarks and famous locations around Iowa, including the capitol building, Blank Park Zoo, Children’s Museum, National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium, Ragbrai, Iowa State Fair and more.
~Grace

If Animals Kissed Goodnight by Ann Whitford Paul

I love stories that can bring some playfulness and connection to an often tricky time of day. The sweet descriptions of animals offering a goodnight kiss is the perfect way to get some giggles out.
~Johanna

Bear Snores On by Jane Chapman

Where most bedtime books end with the central character(s) finally finding some rest, Bear Snores On playfully reverses our expectations when Bear finally wakes, but his friends snore on!
~Johanna

Did we miss one of your favorites? Share in the comments below!

Grace is a trained birth and postpartum doula at Iowa City Birth Services, and provides unbiased, non-judgmental support to all birthing people. Grace is passionate about supporting and empowering families throughout pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period. Grace is the mother of a spirited three-year-old son and is expecting her second child in September 2018.

Johanna Tomlinson is a mother to three little ones and a doula, childbirth educator, and sleep educator with Nested Mama Prenatal & Postpartum Doula Support. Read more of Johanna’s writing on pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and parenting here.

8/1/2018 0 Comments

Doulas of Iowa City Reads: books for the childbearing year

Looking for the perfect book as you prepare for baby or navigate the first year postpartum? Read on as Doulas of Iowa city members share their favorite reads.

The Birth Partner by Penny Simkin

My biggest take away from this book is the list and pictures of positions in here! I did not know about this book with my kids. I would've loved it and utilized it while planning for my own births. If I can get the word out to other Mama's about it, it would be worth it! There are so many options than just laying on your back or squatting or all 4's. I love it and will absolutely refer back.

- Allison of Divine Doula Services

Birth Your Story by Jamie Fleres

Why I love the book? Capturing your birth story is a gift to give yourself. Jaime gives you the tools to create your writing space, remember all those beautiful and raw moments in labor and birth, and shows you as you write your birth story how healing it is. Whether you had your dream birth or plans were shifted, seeing your story on paper reveals the amazing goddess you are as a woman and mother.

- Stacey of Iowa Doula Agency

Ina May's Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin

Ina May does a phenomenal job of bringing you back to the basics through real life examples. She teaches the importance of trusting your body, educating yourself, and seeking the help you deserve.

-Kristi of Bodhi Tree Birth Services

The Gentle Sleep Book by Sarah Ockwell-Smith

Looking for a sleep book that is compatible with an attachment theory based approach to parenting? Sarah Ockwell-Smith offers gentle sleep advice in line with developmental norms for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. I loved the chapters devoted to ages and stages so you can easily find helpful suggestions based on exactly where your baby or child is in terms of development.

-Johanna of Nested Mama Prenatal & Postpartum Doula Support

Breastfeeding Made Simple: Seven Natural Laws for Nursing Mothers by Nancy Morhbacher

Breastfeeding Made Simple did just that for me - made it simple! The book breaks down the “Seven Natural Laws” of breastfeeding and is so encouraging and not overwhelming - two things that are very important when it comes to learning to breastfeed. I have opened this book many times during my nursing journey and always close it feeling more calm and confident!

-Emma of (Em)powered by Birth Doula Services

Mindful Birthing: Training the Mind, Body, and Heart for Childbirth and Beyond by Nancy Bardake

Mindful Birthing is based on MBSR: Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, a program created by Jon Kabat-Zinn. Author Nancy Bardacke created the Mindful Birthing practices on the MBSR foundation in order for birthing parents to prepare not only for labor and birth, but also for parenting. The book takes the concepts from her class, Mindfulness Based Childbirth and Parenting and provides both the research/biology as well as physical and mental exercises to help parents get to a state of mindfulness, which can help us cope with pain, stress, anxiety and more. I love this book for birth preparation because it is applicable and helpful no matter what kind of birth your are planning, and can help provide real coping strategies when things do not go according to plan.

-Grace of Iowa City Birth Services

Looking for more support during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum? Come Meet the Doulas of Iowa City at our next free event!

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The Doulas of Iowa City blog contains guest posts by Doulas of Iowa City member businesses. We are excited to share with you about pregnancy, birth, and postpartum in Iowa City, Cedar Rapids, and surrounding communities and to help you connect to fabulous local resources.

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Goodnight Baby: books for bedtime

Doulas of Iowa City Reads: books for the childbearing year

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