It’s something we all long to be able to do and there are dozens of authors who have written down their idea of how to be the perfect parents. Confused? Local NCT members share their own favourite books.

Rachael – mum to Carlotta, 8 months
Diary of an Honest Mum - Minus Nine to One Jools Oliver
Funny candid accounther attempts to get pregnant through to the birth of their second daughter. Moments of laugh out loud hilarity but she bares her soul in moments of touching vulnerability that makes your throat ache with emotion. I read this book before we conceived Carlotta and I dipped in and out of it when I was pregnant and a new mum. It was this book that inspired me to enquire about NCT classes as she talks about her classes and encourages people to go, saying that they are worth every penny. Coming soon to the library.

Lucy – mum to Niamh, 2 ½ years and Oliver, 7 months
What To Expect When You're Expecting Arlene Eisenburgh, Heidi E Murkoff
This is without doubt my favourite pregnancy book. I read many books whilst pregnant but I found this one to be the most informative.is the usualper month format but in each chapter, after the bit about what is happening to you and your baby, are lists ofand answers. are funnier books but if you want the simpleto a regular question, this is the book for you.
Available to borrow from our library.

Elizabeth – mum to Amélie, 7 months
Baby-proofing Your Marriage: How to Laugh More, Argue Less and Communicate Better as Your Family Grows Stacie Cockrell, Cathy O'Neill, Julia Stone
A funny, compassionate, opinionated guide which answers those nagging doubts in the back of the every parent’s mind: 'Are we the only ones bickering over who will do what and arguing about who has more free time?' With real quotes from real mums and dads, it offers a positive, humorous and solution-based approach to keep you sane and your relationship healthy.
Available to borrow from our library.

Catherine – mum to Alistair, 18 months
Complete First year Planner Annabel Karmel
I personally found this a useful reference - a bit of a one stop shop including menus, recipes, routines, developmental milestones and tips for pregnancy and different stages in first year. Plus, donation from sale of book goes to Great Ormond Street Hospital.
Available to borrow from our library.

Julia - mum to Angus, 2 ½ years
The No-Cry Sleep Solution Elizabeth Pantley
This book was recommended to me by a friend who also co-slept and breastfed her child to sleep. Although it didn't give me many answers (because I didn't read the whole book) it did make me feel extremely positive about the way I was bringing up my son and gentle ways to try to wean him off the breast when at sleep time as opposed to the kiss and retreat(and other techniques),work for many people, but wasn't the option for us. Coming soon to the library.

Shula – mum to Morven, 2 ½ years and Finlay, 8 months
Secrets of the Baby Whisperer Tracey Hogg
When Morven wouldn’t sleep for more than 20 minutes without being held and wanted to feed every 2 hours, I read every baby book in print (at least it felt like it). Most of them gave me a lovely routine to aim for … but no idea of how to get there. This book gave me some ideas, but more importantly it looked at the different characters that babies have and how that affects how easily they fit into a routine, and how you should care for them… at last I didn’t feel like I just wasn’t trying hard enough! Available to borrow from our library.

The Social Baby Lynne Murray & Liz Andrews
Lots of ‘picture stories’, so really easy to read. It looks at the different things that infants can do and the ways they try and communicate from a very early age. A very different perspective from other baby books, but very helpful. Coming soon to the library.

Lindsey – mum to Alexandra, 4 years, David, 2 ½ years and a baby on the way
Baby Love Robin Barker (an Australian book) I was given this as a present when ACE was born, and often referred to it. She gives options not instructions on what to do. Seemed like common sense to me.

Emma-Jane – mum to Jacob, 15 months
Annabel Karmel weaning books Jacob just slipped right into her routine, where as I struggled getting him into a routine with other weaning books. She also has good, quick recipes. Available to borrow from our library.

Fiona – mum to Alice, 9 months and a baby on the way
Your Pregnancy Bible - Dr Anne Deans
It gave me most of the information I needed when I was pregnant and I really liked the photos showing your unborn baby's development each week.

Aisling – mum to Ruan, 14 months
How to Solve Your Child’s Sleep Problems – Dr Richard Ferber
This is a great book offering practical guidance and suggestions. I really liked its clear explanations of why your child might be having trouble sleeping.I found it helps you to let go of your exhaustion and frustration and step into your child's world, making it more possible to succeed in getting a peaceful night’s sleep. Coming soon to the library.