Yvette O’Dowd has been a passionate reader since childhood and her first pregnancy in the 1980s saw her consuming the local library collections of books about pregnancy and childbirth, child development and infant and child care. Having ignited a life-long interest in these subjects, Yvette went on to work in the retail arm of the Nursing Mothers’ Association of Australia (now known as The Australian Breastfeeding Association) from 1995 - 2000. This included the recommendation and sale of books on breastfeeding and human lactation, parenting and related titles to both parents and health professionals.
From 2008 - 2013, Yvette ran The Breastfeeding Centre In Dandenong, Victoria - the Victorian Branch Office of the Australian Breastfeeding Association. Here she curated and maintained an extensive library of books available to both members and volunteers. When establishing the Southern Natural Parenting Network in 2014, Yvette had a vision of a collection of books available to members and the wider community, establishing a community library on wheels available at meets and events. Yvette’ family are resigned to her extensive personal collection, however the evolution to audio and digital formats has limted the physical space required somewhat!
Below you will find Yvette’s recommended titles
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Breastfeeding Doesn’t Need to Suck
In Breastfeeding Doesn't Need to Suck, health psychologist and International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant Dr. Kathleen Kendall-Tackett offers a compassionate, evidence-based guide that addresses both the physical and emotional challenges of breastfeeding. The book delves into topics often overlooked in traditional breastfeeding literature, such as the impact of breastfeeding on sleep, safe (and unsafe) bedsharing, and how infant sleep locations affect maternal mental health.
The Evolved Nest
Drawing on anthropology, neuroscience, psychology, and evolutionary biology, Darcia Narvaez explores how our ancestral caregiving practices shaped human development — and what happens when modern life disrupts them. The book presents the “Evolved Nest” model, which includes practices like extended breastfeeding, constant physical closeness, alloparenting, and responsive caregiving, as vital to raising thriving children and healthy societies.
Beginnings
In Beginnings, Sarah Ockwell-Smith explores how experiences during pregnancy, birth, and the early months of parenting shape a child’s lifelong emotional and physiological development. Drawing from psychology, neuroscience, and evolutionary biology, she challenges the push for early independence and instead celebrates slow, responsive beginnings rooted in connection and nurture.
The Gentle Parenting Book
This foundational guide introduces the principles of gentle parenting from birth to age seven. Sarah Ockwell-Smith explains how to build strong connections, set kind boundaries, and meet children's emotional needs with empathy and respect. Covering everything from tantrums to play, it helps parents raise emotionally resilient, confident kids without punishment or control.
The Gentle Sleep Book
A gentle, biologically normal approach to infant and toddler sleep. This book provides age-appropriate expectations, tips for better sleep without crying-it-out, and reassurance that frequent waking is not a parenting failure but a developmental stage.
No-Drama Discipline
This insightful book reframes discipline as teaching, not punishment. Siegel and Bryson explain how to respond to misbehaviour with empathy and connection while guiding children to make better choices, all backed by neuroscience.
The Whole-Brain Child
This groundbreaking book explains how a child’s brain is wired and how it matures. Using neuroscience made accessible, the authors introduce 12 key strategies to support emotional regulation and healthy brain development in children.
Parenting from the Inside Out
This pioneering book blends neuroscience and psychology to show how a parent’s self-understanding can profoundly shape their relationship with their child. By reflecting on one’s own childhood and emotional patterns, parents can become more attuned, responsive, and emotionally available.