The Modern Midwife's Guide to the First Year

Following on from Marie Louise’s fabulous first book which helped me get through pregnancy massively comes this book which supports and empowers parents through the wonderful whirlwind that is your first year with your baby. Written in a really nice way. Highly recommend.

Loved this book just as much as her previous one. So positive and reassuring whilst also being open and honest about what to expect from the first year with your baby. ‘Honesty boxes’ scattered through the chapters really helped normalise some of the tough times ahead, leaving me feeling more confident and capable already. It really helps to read advice and information alongside real parents’ experiences. Also written in such an open and supportive tone, not at all scary, intimidating or pushing any agendas like some other books. Will definitely be reading again and recommending to everyone I know who’s expecting a baby!

This is a great book. Informative and factual. However, some of the chapters definitely need a trigger warning before hand. Reading the 48hrs after birth section I realised how traumatised from giving birth I was and had a panic attack. I’m guessing this is not what the book wanted to achieve. While it didn’t necessarily say anything bad, it just was factual and said some people experience xyz and made me realise just how traumatic my birth was. All other sections of the book was brilliant and informative. In fact even the section above was informative and made me realise I needed to seek some help but this book definitely needed a bit of warning. And don’t read it while you’re experiencing baby blues. Perhaps read it before!

This book saved me in the first week after the birth of my son while I was in hospital. I laid there at night unable to sleep, with no idea what to do with him, my partner wasn’t able to stay over and I read the first few chapters on kindle in between feeding, changing and crying (both of us!)I took invaluable advice from this book and it genuinely made me feel better about how my baby was responding to life outside the womb. The honesty boxes in the book where Marie shares her own experiences are amazing and have really helped me in the early weeks to realise what baby and I are going through is normal.I can’t wait to refer to the rest of the book throughout the next few months - it provides new parents with a huge amount of advice and reassurance. Thank you Marie!

Such a great book and easy to read and flick through, amazing information

The First Year is a ready made fountain of vital information, at a time when it really is most needed; full of concentrated thoughtfulness, kindness and honestly given advice generously laid bare, from the standpoint of a rare combination of professional expertise and personal experience.

Read rhe first book ok pregnancy in a matter of days and now have found comfort post pregnancy in this book. Would make a good gift to new mums.

After reading 'Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond' I decided to read The First Year and it's proved to be a great choice! It's informative, kind and honest and prepares you for the 'unknown'. So many books focus on Pregnancy alone, so it's great to have the support of this book for the post-natal period, especially early on.I highly recommend!Jules