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The Best Postpartum Books and Resources

Updated: Dec 25, 2025


There is something for everyone when it comes to looking for the postpartum resources they need. The books below cover everything from emotional health, spiritual well-being, relationships, recipes, physical recovery, health care, postpartum depression, and much more. Each woman will have specific needs. When checking out these books on Amazon, read the reviews to see what appeals to your sense of wellness.


Must-Have Postpartum Books

Build Your Nest: a postpartum planning workbook, By Kestrel Gates


Kestrel Gates has written a practical book on postpartum planning called, Build Your Nest: a postpartum planning workbook. It is designed to use during pregnancy so that you can plan for the best postpartum experience possible. 


Healing Your Body Naturally After Childbirth, by Dr. Jolene Brighten


This is an easy-to-read manual with suggestions for postpartum concerns, such as breastfeeding, pelvic pain and discomfort, digestive health, and thyroid support. 


Nobody Told Me About That: The First Six Weeks, by Ginger Breedlove, PhD., Editor


Every chapter is written by experienced professionals who have given birth, struggled with nursing, or suffered from postpartum depression. They give you real-life experience, remind you that every baby has his or her own normal, and that you’re not alone.


The First Forty Days: The Essential Art of Nourishing the New Mother, by Heng Ou


In The First Forty Days, the author shares her experience and knowledge of “Zuo Yuezi,” also meaning “sitting in the month.” She focuses on the traditions of caring for women postpartum, the importance of slowing down, replenishing meals, and the impact that positive care has on healing.


The Fourth Trimester, by Kimberly Ann Johnson


Calling upon Asian/South American spiritual practices and yoga-inspired principles throughout the book, the author’s emphasis on emotional healing, relationships, creating support circles, and more may appeal to a mother’s intuition when caring for herself postpartum.


The Postnatal Depletion Cure, by Dr. Oscar Serrallach


Dr. Serrallach tackles common concerns many new moms have, such as mommy brain, fatigue, and mood changes. The author discusses why they happen from a functional medicine perspective and provides actionable steps to address them.


Strong As a Mother, by Kate Rope


This book will help you prioritize your emotional health, set boundaries and ask for help, make choices about feeding and childcare that feel good to you, get adequate sleep, create a strong relationship with your partner, make self-care an everyday priority, trust your instincts, and enjoy the most challenging job you will ever love.. 


Postpartum Depression Books

Body Full of Stars, by Molly Caro May


Body Full of Stars is one woman's story of her postpartum journey, describing her struggles with physical and mental health after her first baby's birth. Reading someone else's experience can remind you that you're normal and you're not alone.


Beyond the Blues, by Shoshana Bennett, PhD and Pec Indman, EdD, MFT


Beyond the Blues may be just the book you need if you are looking for ways to navigate perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. Speaking from personal experience, the author shares information about diagnosis, treatment, and prevention in an approachable, compassionate way.


Birth of a New Brain: Healing from Postpartum Bipolar Disorder, by Dyane Harwood


Dyane Harwood’s memoir, “Birth Of A New Brain” is a self-portrait of her battle with Postpartum Bipolar Disorder following her second child’s birth and her unceasing desire to find a way out of the chaos in her mind.


This Isn’t What I Expected, by Karen Kleiman, MSW, LCSW and Valerie Davis Raskin, MD


If you’re navigating postpartum depression, this book will help you feel understood, supported, and empowered. It addresses coping techniques for moms and has a chapter for helping partners understand what is happening.


When Postpartum Packs a Punch, by Kristina Cowan


Kristina Cowan describes her own experience with traumatic birth and postpartum depression and weaves it together with other parents’ stories. She discusses symptoms, risk factors, and causes, outlines common therapies and medications, and defines the five major perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.


Postpartum Crisis Help

Anyone woman who is experiencing a crisis should seek immediate professional help.

National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 800-273-8255.This is a free national network that is available 24/7. Suicidepreventionlifeline.org

Postpartum Support


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