www.rachelsbabies.com/my-books
This book was my absolute saviour when I was a clueless first-time mummy – Rachel’s advice is sensible, heartfelt and achievable (plus, she is one of the nicest women I know!). The routines she suggests for you and your baby are flexible and easy to follow (no matter how sleep-deprived you are!).
Your Baby Week by Week: The Ultimate Guide to Caring for Your New Baby by Simone Cave and Dr Caroline Fertleman
This book is a lifesaver! There are a couple of pages on each week about what to expect in terms of crying/sleeping/feeding, etc. It’s not a parenting guide, it just tells you what to expect that particular week.
Happy Mum, Happy Baby: My Adventures Into Motherhood by Giovanna Fletcher
A wonderfully candid insight into celebrity mummy Giovanna’s own personal experiences during pregnancy and motherhood that makes you realise no matter who you are,
motherhood and pregnancy come with the same stresses, pains and laugh-out-loud moments.
The Wonder Weeks: How to Stimulate Your Baby’s Mental Development and Help Him Turn His 10 Predictable, Great, Fussy Phases into Magical Leaps Forward by Hetty Van der Rijt, Frans Plooij and Xaviera Plas-Plooij
Have you ever wondered what’s going on in your baby’s head? Why is a normally well-tempered baby suddenly difficult and demanding? And then, suddenly, he is doing things he could not do the day before. This baby development book explains how to stimulate your baby’s development whilst also dealing with ‘leaps’ (translate as: times when they are a nightmare!). A really helpful guide that you can read weekly whilst your baby grows.
Secrets of the Mummy Concierge by Tiffany Norris
Well, it’s a MUST-HAVE for any pregnant or new mummy, right?
Acknowledgements
Would you believe me if I said I found these acknowledgements to be the hardest part of this whole book to write? As someone who always wanted to be an author, acknowledgements were always the first thing I read when I opened a new book, so in truth I’ve been dreading writing these because I know there are so many people I should be thanking – people who have shaped my life and helped me become me.
But I’ve decided to keep this short.
First, an enormous thank you to Natasha Singh at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital – my incredible obstetrician who delivered all of my babies, but also made sure I was OK when tough times hit. You saved me from turning into a gibbering mess when times were hard and I’ll never forget your comforting hugs when I needed them the most. Also, some of our WhatsApp chats keep me smiling even to this day. Did I really message you asking if a ‘throbbing big toe could be a sign of labour’?
A huge thank you to Jo Bell, my literary agent and one of the kindest, most softly spoken women I know. You were the person at the end of the phone when I was told I had a book deal and I will never forget that moment! It was one I had dreamt about for years! Thank you for trusting that people would want to read this book and for encouraging me along the way. You enabled me to achieve a life-long ambition and I’ll always remember that.
To Beth Eynon, my wonderful editor. I’ll never forget that day during Lockdown when I heard you wanted to publish my book (read as: Best. Day. Ever!). Thank you for believing in me and for your constant support. Some of the wonderful things you said about my book make me want to print them out and frame them! I couldn’t have asked for a kinder, more talented editor. And to the team at Bonnier, who have put so much hard work into this book, a huge, heartfelt thank you.
To all the mummies out there who I have worked with over the years (and all the mummies to come). Thank you for letting me help you during the most important times of your lives.
To my mummy: thank you for always supporting my ‘crazy ideas’ (proposal planner, undercover bridesmaid, Mummy Concierge!) and for being on hand with a bottle of pink prosecco when occasions came to celebrate. If I’m even half the mummy to Rupert, Ophelia and ‘Baby Number Three’ as you are to me, then it will be my greatest achievement in life.
Daddy, you know I couldn’t have done this without you. You may have raised your eyebrows at times and thought, What’s she up to now? But I did it! Thank you for being there in my lowest moments (and sending me on a late-life ski season to Verbier, which literally changed my life!). You have supported me in ways I shall never forget.
Everyone has an angel in their life and Amanda is certainly mine. You really don’t know how much you mean to me. Every time I talk to you on the phone, I end up smiling and I have to pinch myself at how lucky I got to have you as my big sister. I just hope Ophelia and her little sister have the same bond and friendship that we do. And to Elliot, the master of getting babies to take their first steps, there’s another one coming your way soon, so you’d better start training!
And finally, Patrick: you always believed in me – more so than anyone else – and so this book is, in truth, thanks to you. You made my dreams come true in every possible way. In you, I have met my husband, the most incredible father to our children and the person I can never be without. Know that I will love you till the end. LYMAMED;-)
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