Book Reviews
Yvette O’Dowd has been a passionate reader since childhood. Her first pregnancy in the early 1980s saw her consuming the local library collection of books about pregnancy, childbirth, child development and child care. Having ignited a life-long interest in these subjects, Yvette went on to work at Merrily Merrily Enterprises [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! (Thank goodness for the digital revolution!)
Yvette also has a passion for children’s books - particularly picture books - and her collection expanded as her family has. Books for children about babies are of particular interest. Stay tuned for review soon!
Browse Yvette’s recommendations:
Parenting by Heart
This foundational title offers an encouraging and compassionate introduction to gentle parenting. Pinky McKay draws on science, instinct, and lived experience to help parents build secure attachment and confidence from the newborn stage through toddlerhood. Topics include breastfeeding, sleep, infant communication, settling, and responsive care.
The Fussy Baby Book
This book offers guidance for parents of high-need infants and toddlers, providing strategies to soothe and understand fussy behaviors. Drawing from their pediatric experience and personal parenting journey, the Sears present insights into the unique challenges and rewards of raising a high-need child, emphasizing responsive and intuitive parenting.
The Attachment Parenting Book
This book introduces the core principles of attachment parenting in an accessible, supportive format. It outlines the "7 Baby B's" — birth bonding, breastfeeding, babywearing, bedding close to baby, belief in the language value of your baby’s cry, beware of baby trainers, and balance — as foundational tools for building secure attachment. The authors emphasize flexibility, parental intuition, and emotional connection.