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.

In this updated and condensed version of her seminal work, Gabrielle Palmer explores how breastfeeding is deeply affected by economics, gender inequality, marketing, and public policy. With clarity and urgency, she outlines how global and local systems often work against breastfeeding success — and what must change to protect infant feeding rights.

Drawing on Jungian psychology, mythology, and real-life case studies, this book explores the inner transformation women undergo in motherhood. Marchiano reframes challenges such as identity loss, fear, guilt, and ambivalence as opportunities for self-discovery, healing, and personal growth.

Part recipe book, part postpartum care guide, this beautifully presented resource encourages a village-based approach to supporting mothers after birth. It includes simple, warming meals, and encourages families to gather practical help in the form of food and presence. Designed by a postpartum doula and nutritionist, it honours rest, softness, and nourishment — without pushing bounce-back culture or rigid expectations.

Written by a birth doula and mother, this deeply personal and empowering book explores pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period as transformative rites of passage. With stories from diverse voices, it centres the emotional and spiritual experiences of birthing people alongside practical reflections and guidance. It includes space for journaling and self-reflection.

In Out of Milk, medical anthropologist Emily Barrett investigates how global systems — from economics to policy to culture — have shaped infant feeding practices. With deep compassion and academic rigour, she explores how access, inequality, and misinformation affect the way families feed their babies, and how breastfeeding support can be improved worldwide.

This comprehensive guide, published by the Australian Breastfeeding Association, offers over 200 pages of up-to-date information on breastfeeding.  It combines scientific research with the collective wisdom of thousands of mothers, providing practical advice and support for parents throughout the first year of their baby's life. 

This bestselling memoir explores the process of unlearning cultural conditioning and embracing one’s true self. Through stories of motherhood, identity, relationships, and personal transformation, Doyle challenges expectations placed on women — especially around being a “good mother” — and invites readers to trust their instincts and inner knowing.

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.

This gentle and compassionate book explores the emotional impact of difficult or disrupted breastfeeding experiences. Hilary Jacobson offers validation, healing practices, and space for parents to process grief related to unmet breastfeeding goals. Through storytelling, self-reflection, and guided exercises, the book supports emotional recovery and reconnection.

This gentle guide helps parents prepare children emotionally and practically for starting school. It covers everything from separation anxiety and new routines to friendships, lunchboxes, and emotional regulation, all through a developmentally appropriate lens that respects the child’s readiness and individuality.

Written by a pioneering anthropologist and sleep researcher, this book explores the biological and cultural roots of infant sleep. McKenna explains the science behind cosleeping and breastfeeding, dismantling myths and promoting informed, family-centred choices.

This warm, practical guide supports families preparing for — or adjusting to — life with two children. It covers pregnancy, birth, sibling transitions, divided attention, guilt, and rebuilding routines with calm and compassion.

This practical and empathetic guide supports parents whose babies react negatively to foods through breastmilk or formula. Joyce Whiting offers clear information on symptoms, elimination diets, allergy and intolerance testing, and the emotional toll of caring for a food-sensitive baby. Her tone is warm, supportive, and rooted in lived experience.

This empowering guide explores how to cultivate openness, resilience, and balance in children. Through the lens of brain science, Siegel and Bryson show how to encourage a “Yes Brain” mindset—flexible, curious, and emotionally aware—versus a “No Brain” state of fear and reactivity.

This evidence-based guide offers clear, accessible answers to the most common questions new parents have about breastfeeding. Dr. Amy Brown breaks down myths, shares up-to-date research, and provides practical support from pregnancy through weaning. The book empowers readers with information while keeping a reassuring, non-judgemental tone.

In this bold and necessary book, Kimberly Seals Allers investigates how medicine, corporate interests, and even strands of feminism have shaped — and often undermined — breastfeeding in modern culture. Through a blend of investigative journalism, social commentary, and personal insight, she exposes the systems that fail breastfeeding families, particularly women of colour.

This thoughtful and affirming collection brings together real-life stories from families who breastfeed into toddlerhood and the early childhood years. Janell E. Robisch  curates a diverse range of experiences, reflecting the joys, challenges, humour, and deep connection that come with long-term breastfeeding.

This reassuring and evidence-based guide offers a respectful approach to feeding babies, toddlers, and young children. Sarah Ockwell-Smith addresses common concerns — picky eating, food refusal, family mealtimes, weight worries — with empathy and science, helping parents raise competent, relaxed eaters without bribes, pressure, or power struggles.

This book reframes the postpartum period as a vital rite of passage deserving of deep rest, support, and nourishment. Kimberly Ann Johnson — a doula, bodyworker, and somatic educator — brings together traditional wisdom and modern understanding of nervous system health, trauma, and relationships. It offers compassionate, embodied guidance for navigating physical recovery, emotional shifts, and identity transformation in the early months of mothering.