And Baby Makes Three: the Six-Step Plan for Preserving Marital Intimacy and Rekindling Romance after Baby Arrives. John Gottman & Julie Schwartz Gottman, $14.50

Having a baby is a joyous experience, but even the best relationships are strained during the transition from duo to trio. Lack of sleep, never-ending housework, and new fiscal concerns often lead to conflict, disappointment, and hurt feelings. John Gottman and Julie Schwartz Gottman have written And Baby Makes Three to show partners how to avoid the pitfalls of parenthood. Complete with exercises and activities designed to help couples anticipate, confront and resolve conflicts, this encouraging guide helps new parents positively manage the relationship changes that come along with their bundle of joy.

The Babymoon Experience. Caroline Deacon, $24.95

Practical tips and advice for nurturing yourself and your baby through the early postpartum weeks.

Babyproofing Your Marriage: How to Laugh More and Argue Less As Your Family Grows. Stacie Cockrell, Cathy O'Neill & Julia Stone, $16.25

Babyproofing Your Marriage is the warts-and-all truth about how having children can affect your relationship. The authors' evenhanded approach to both sides of the marital equation allows partners to understand each other in a whole new way. With humor, compassion, and practical advice, the Babyproofers will guide first-time parents and veterans alike around the rocky shores of the early parenting years.

Mother and New Baby Care: the First Two Weeks DVD. InJoy Videos, $49.95 (32 minutes) Note: InJoy DVDs are sold for Home Use Only; and for sale only within Canada. All other users can contact Parentbooks for more information

Covering the first two weeks postpartum, this program helps ensure the health and well-being of mother and baby as they make the transition from hospital to home. Mother and New Baby Care concisely presents postpartum recovery tips, feeding basics, newborn care, and advice on when to call healthcare providers.

Topics include:

• Perineal & Cesarean Care — lochia flow, warning signs, afterpains, perineal comfort techniques, constipation, hemorrhoids, rest, signs of infection
• Baby Blues & Mood Disorders — tips for simplifying life during the first few days, signs of PPD, partner's emotions, getting support
• Breastfeeding Basics — lactation consultants, hunger signs, how often to nurse, positioning and latch, engorgement, signs of mastitis, sore nipples, avoiding artificial nipples, signs of poor feeding
• Baby Care and Warning Signs — umbilical cord and circumcision care, diapering, types of stools, jaundice, dehydration, signs of illness, bathing tips, playing and connecting with baby
• Crying & Safety — responding to cries, Shaken Baby Syndrome (Abusive Head Trauma), SIDS, car seats, other safety tips
• Available in version created for Baby-Friendly® hospitals — this version includes all the same essential information as the standard version, without any mention or visuals of artificial nipples or formula feeding

Postpartum: from Pregnant to Parent DVD. InJoy Videos, $49.99 (36 minutes) Note: InJoy DVDs are sold for Home Use Only; and for sale only within Canada. All other users can contact Parentbooks for more information

Through parent interviews, vignettes and helpful tips, this program offers a practical and realistic view of the early postpartum period.

Sex After Baby … Why There Is None. Kathleen Hamilton, $19.95

After she had a baby at 39, Kathleen Hamilton's sexual desire dove overnight from, ‘Honey, can we please have sex tonight, I've got a headache?’ to nothing. Zero. Zip. Nada.

It was an identity crisis. Plus, it was no fun at all.

None of the books and articles Kathleen could find came close to explaining why she lost her libido, or how or when she might find it again. No one around Kathleen talked openly about her experience balancing sex and motherhood - until Kathleen asked.

Funny, frank, political, and poignant, Sex After Baby: Why There Is None is Kathleen's quest to bring the surprise triple orgasm back into her life. Along the way, the book reveals how Kathleen's questions about sex after baby — among her friends and neighbours and favourite books — brought her new, unexpected understanding of women's sexuality and women's lives.