Websites
	www.BabyCenter.com	Lets you enter your baby’s birth date and will send you week by week updates on their growth. The searchable article index lets you look up answers to almost any question on any topic related to mom’s or baby’s health. There are bulletin boards on development, family, sleep, and even toddlers. The “Symptom Guide” is helpful for new mothers – especially when the symptom is discovered when the pediatrician’s office is closed. There is also a “Buy What’s Best” section where you can find products for your baby that other parents love.
	www.ParentsPlace.com (part of iVillage)	another excellent website. There are newborn, feeding, baby, sleep, and breastfeeding sections (just to name a few). The articles are well written and cover not just the main topic, but the small issues associated with larger topic. Like BabyCenter, this site is a cover-it-all site where you can easily find the answers you need.
	www.lalecheleague.org	The official website of La Leche League International. One of the most discussed topics for new mothers is breastfeeding. The website hosts chats on breastfeeding topics, which are like attending a "virtual" La Leche League meeting. They are hosted by accredited La Leche League Leaders. You can ask questions and share your experiences with other parents in a respectful atmosphere. The website also will assist you in locating a local Le Leche group.
	www.sbpep.org	The website for Postpartum Education for Parents (PEP) PEP was founded in 1977 by a group of mothers to offer each other support after the births of their children. PEP is a non-profit, all-volunteer corporation staffed entirely by trained parent volunteers. The website contains helpful articles on postpartum distress, giving the names of local support people you can contact for assistance, as well as a suggested reading list.
	www.aap.org	The website for the American Academy of Pediatrics. The “You and Your Family” section of this website provides information on a variety of topics from car safety to immunization information. This is “the source” in that it is the information published by pediatricians. For a free copy of the Parents Resource Guide to education materials and videos available from AAP, send a self-addressed, stamped, size #10 envelope to: AAP Publications Customer Service P.O. Box 747 Elk Grove Village, IL 60009-0747

	BOOKS	Undoubtedly, you will find in your local bookstore shelves full of books for expectant moms. Several Cathedral moms selected the following group of books as “staples”, finding them to be informative and enjoyable. If you are unable to find them in your local bookstore, you can order them from www.Amazon.com
	Your Baby’s First Year, Week by Week Glade B. Curtis, M.D. and Judith Schuler, M.S.	An excellent book for first time moms. It has a week by week format that covers physical, mental and social development milestones. It also covers almost every newborn topic from safety issues to illness to toys and play that are age-appropriate. Since it is broken down in a week by week format, it is an easy to read book as your baby grows. It is also completely indexed, so you can look up specific issues quickly.
	Your Baby's First Year Steven P. Shelov (Editor) Robert E. Hannemann (Editor)	Given to moms by Florida Hospital and has proven to be a useful resource. Recommended by the American Academy of Pediatricians, this book is like an encyclopedia written for reading, not just reference. The index will help you find topics of interest, though the book is written in a month-by-month format discussing what to expect in growth, development and behavior. There is a definite “doctor” flavor to this book, but it is exceptionally helpful with answering many questions first time parents have about baby care, breast feeding versus bottle feeding, and medical situations.
	Baby Basics: A Guide for New Parents Anne K. Blocker	Another book chock full of information. This book is an excellent resource for both new moms and dads. It covers many of the well known issues, breast vs. bottle feeding, cloth vs. disposable diapers, as well some of the less discussed topics like wills and insurance. The “Practical Parenting” sidebars offer some excellent ideas for new parents – suggesting, not telling, what has worked for others and may or may not work for you.
	Cradle the Thought : A Journal for the New Mother's First Year Tracy D. Nelson	A weekly journal allowing a new mother to capture the most important moments of her first year with her baby. This journal works like a guided diary, with questions that prompt a mother to reflect on her own feelings and activities and to record information about the growth and development of her baby. Topics include baby's sleeping and eating habits, mother's relationships with friends and family members, pediatrician well-visits, developmental milestones, baby's mobility, baby's personality, and nicknames. This book is much more than a baby book!