Books to help you explore and understand postnatal depression for Read a Book Day

In a truly honest and unfiltered memoir which was released this year, Laura Canty shares herexperience with postnatal depression after the birth of her son, Arthur. Canty was diagnosed withacute PND in 2018 and spent 10 weeks in The Barberry National Centre for Mental Health with her son, overcoming the harsh reality of the illness and learning to accept, and love, her new reality.

Now an Expert by Experience volunteer for the NHS, Canty is passionate about opening the conversation around PND and helping others in similar situations to feel less alone. You can buy this book here: www.amazon.co.uk/Something-Live-Story-Postnatal-Depression/dp/191318367X

Postpartum Depression and Anxiety: The Definitive Survival and Recovery Approach (2017) This book is perfect if you are looking for a more relational, psychological understanding behind how you are feeling. Split into two parts, this book includes both the scientific and emotive sides of postpartum depression. Part one tells Sonya Watson’s emotive story of how she learnt to love her child whilst battling postnatal depression and anxiety, and part two tells of Dr Kathryn Whitehead’s insight into postpartum depression and anxiety. Whitehead is the doctor who helped Sonya to recover and feel a bond with her child. Sonya Watson is now a mum of two and a coordinator for PND Canterbury, using her experiences daily to help, educate and support other parents.

You can buy the book here www.amazon.co.uk/Postpartum-Depression-Anxiety-Definitive-Survival/dp/1789560403

If reading a whole novel on how you can help yourself or your partner during this time seems a little overwhelming, try this illustrated and interactive book by Karen Kleiman instead. Separated into bite-sized advice pieces, relatable illustrations and quick activities you can do to help improve your mindset, this book is wonderful for picking up when you have a few minutes to yourself. The synopsis states that “over 90 percent of new mothers will have scary, intrusive thoughts about their baby and themselves,” and this book reassures parents that these thoughts are completely normal and don’t make you a bad parent.

Karen Kleiman is the founder of the acclaimed Postpartum Stress Center in the US and has been an international maternal mental health expert for over 32 years. She also published a new book this year titled ‘What about Us? A New Parent’s Guide to Safeguarding Your Over-Anxious, Over-Extended, Sleep-Deprived Relationship’ if you and your partner would like to navigate this trickytime together using an interactive format.

You can buy her book here www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1641701307ref_=as_li_ss_tl&language=en_US&linkCode=gg2&linkId=16d2422bdf9ce7ea0905ba8e80421685&tag=thehuffingtop-20

As mentioned above, it’s not just new mums that can suffer from postnatal depression. Rated 5/5 on Amazon, this book explores different aspects of postnatal depression for new dads, helping to open up the PND conversation to include fathers too. Supported by recent research and discussion, this book helps to understand the diagnosis and recovery journey of dads who suffer from PND.

You can buy the book here www.amazon.co.uk/Sad-Dad-Exploration-Postnatal-Depression/dp/185343230X

At Bloom Baby Classes our core aim is to help new parents feel less alone during the first few years of their little one’s lives. Exploring the research and the encouraging books that are out there in addition to building a support network around you with our classes will do wonders for your mindset.

To join our supportive network of new parents whilst aiding your newborn’s development, contactus at enquiries@bloombabyclasses.com or call us on 0800 4647960.