Best Postpartum Depression Books of 2025

Wilson Cook Avatar
Wilson Cook
Last Updated: May 12, 2023

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Postpartum depression is a serious condition that affects many new mothers. Fortunately, there are several books available that can help women cope with this difficult experience. Some of the most popular titles include "This Isn't What I Expected: Overcoming Postpartum Depression" by Karen Kleiman and Valerie Raskin, "The Postpartum Survival Guide" by Ann Dunnewold and Diane G. Sanford, and "Down Came the Rain: My Journey Through Postpartum Depression" by Brooke Shields. Each of these books provides valuable insights and advice for women struggling with postpartum depression, and can help them feel less alone in their experiences.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

How to Keep House While Drowning: A Gentle Approach to Cleaning and Organizing Cover #TOP 1
How to Keep House While Drowning: A Gentle Approach to Cleaning and Organizing
ftb score rating icon 9.9
Real Food for Pregnancy: The Science and Wisdom of Optimal Prenatal Nutrition Cover #TOP 2
Real Food for Pregnancy: The Science and Wisdom of Optimal Prenatal Nutrition
ftb score rating icon 9.8
The First Forty Days: The Essential Art of Nourishing the New Mother Cover #TOP 3
The First Forty Days: The Essential Art of Nourishing the New Mother
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 10 Postpartum Depression Books

How to Keep House While Drowning: A Gentle Approach to Cleaning and Organizing

Davis LPC, KC
Apr 26, 2022
How to Keep House While Drowning: A Gentle Approach to Cleaning and Organizing Cover
How to Keep House While Drowning: A Gentle Approach to Cleaning and Organizing

This book, titled "How to Keep House While Drowning: A Gentle Approach to Cleaning and Organizing," offers a new perspective on cleaning and organizing that frees readers from feeling ashamed or overwhelmed by a messy home. Author KC Davis presents a revolutionary approach to housekeeping that emphasizes self-compassion and simplification of to-do lists. Her practical advice helps readers prioritize tasks, avoid procrastination, and find creative shortcuts to transform a messy room into a functional space. This book is an excellent resource for anyone struggling with anxiety, fatigue, depression, ADHD, or lack of support in managing their household.

Real Food for Pregnancy: The Science and Wisdom of Optimal Prenatal Nutrition

Nichols, Lily
Lily Nichols
Feb 21, 2018
Real Food for Pregnancy: The Science and Wisdom of Optimal Prenatal Nutrition Cover
Real Food for Pregnancy: The Science and Wisdom of Optimal Prenatal Nutrition

Real Food for Pregnancy by Lily Nichols is a comprehensive guide to optimal prenatal nutrition. Nichols provides clear and evidence-based recommendations on what to eat and why during pregnancy. Her approach to nutrition is not only relevant during pregnancy but for the rest of your life. The book is well-referenced and more in-depth than many textbooks, making it a valuable resource for birth professionals and expectant mothers alike. If you want to make healthy food choices that support a smooth and healthy pregnancy, Real Food for Pregnancy is a must-read.

The First Forty Days: The Essential Art of Nourishing the New Mother

Ou, Heng
Greeven, Amely
Belger, Marisa
Stewart, Tabori & Chang
Apr 26, 2016
The First Forty Days: The Essential Art of Nourishing the New Mother Cover
The First Forty Days: The Essential Art of Nourishing the New Mother

The First Forty Days: The Essential Art of Nourishing the New Mother is a guidebook for new mothers, based on the author's personal experience with zuo yuezi, a traditional Chinese postpartum confinement period. The book includes 60 easy-to-follow recipes for healing soups, lactation-boosting teas, and replenishing meals to support the mother's unique needs. Moreover, it provides advice on navigating relationship challenges and arranging a system of help during the postpartum period. This practical and inspiring guide is an excellent resource for new mothers and mothers-to-be who are searching for guidance and support during the first few weeks with their newborns.

You Are Not Alone: The NAMI Guide to Navigating Mental Health―With Advice from Experts and Wisdom from Real People and Families

Duckworth MD, Ken
Sep 20, 2022
You Are Not Alone: The NAMI Guide to Navigating Mental Health―With Advice from Experts and Wisdom from Real People and Families Cover
You Are Not Alone: The NAMI Guide to Navigating Mental Health―With Advice from Experts and Wisdom from Real People and Families

The NAMI Guide to Navigating Mental Health is a comprehensive resource for individuals and families seeking expert guidance on mental health diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. The book features inspiring, true stories from real people who have experienced mental health challenges. Written by Dr. Ken Duckworth, a psychiatrist with the vulnerability of a peer, this book offers practical guidance on navigating care and research-based evidence on treatments that work. It also provides insight and advice from renowned clinical experts and practitioners. This powerful book is a reminder that help is available, and no one has to face mental health challenges alone.

The Fourth Trimester: A Postpartum Guide to Healing Your Body, Balancing Your Emotions, and Restoring Your Vitality

Johnson, Kimberly Ann
Shambhala
Dec 26, 2017
The Fourth Trimester: A Postpartum Guide to Healing Your Body, Balancing Your Emotions, and Restoring Your Vitality Cover
The Fourth Trimester: A Postpartum Guide to Healing Your Body, Balancing Your Emotions, and Restoring Your Vitality

The Fourth Trimester: A Postpartum Guide to Healing Your Body, Balancing Your Emotions, and Restoring Your Vitality is a comprehensive guide that provides practical advice and support to women through postpartum healing on physical, emotional, relational, and spiritual levels. Kimberly Ann Johnson, a doula, postpartum consultant, and women's health care advocate, draws from her vast professional experience and personal journey to offer a roadmap to this very important transition that can last from a few months to a few years. This book is a must-have for any new mother who is looking for a holistic approach to postpartum healing.

One Day At A Time: Mood Tracking Journal: Daily Wellness and Mental Health Prompt Journal, Diary & Tracker for Women and Teens

Pivotal Press
Apr 12, 2022
One Day At A Time: Mood Tracking Journal: Daily Wellness and Mental Health Prompt Journal, Diary & Tracker for Women and Teens Cover
One Day At A Time: Mood Tracking Journal: Daily Wellness and Mental Health Prompt Journal, Diary & Tracker for Women and Teens

One Day At A Time: Mood Tracking Journal is a practical diary and tracker designed to help women and teens stay on top of their mental health. The journal features daily prompts to record emotions, positive and negative events, food and water intake, and notes of gratitude. The beautiful floral design, premium matte cover, and perfectly sized 6x9 inches make it an excellent tool for daily use. Overall, this book is a helpful guide for those struggling with dissociative disorders and a unique way to keep track of one's mental health journey.

#TOP 7

Not Your Mother’s Postpartum Book: Normalizing Post-Baby Mental Health Struggles, Navigating #MOMLife, and Finding Strength Amid the Chaos

Caitlin Slavens
Chelsea Bodie
PESI Publishing, Inc.
Jan 17, 2023
Not Your Mother’s Postpartum Book: Normalizing Post-Baby Mental Health Struggles, Navigating #MOMLife, and Finding Strength Amid the Chaos Cover
Not Your Mother’s Postpartum Book: Normalizing Post-Baby Mental Health Struggles, Navigating #MOMLife, and Finding Strength Amid the Chaos

Not Your Mother’s Postpartum Book is a refreshingly candid resource that provides real, honest, and raw insights into motherhood. The book covers all things #momlife, including birth trauma, perinatal mood disorders, baby feeding, and sleep, among others. Caitlin and Chelsea's nonjudgmental yet humorous tone makes the book an unvarnished guide to help create a greater sense of comfort and ease throughout the psychological complexities of motherhood. This book is highly recommended to new moms and is a must-have on every mother's registry.

#TOP 8

The Upward Spiral: Using Neuroscience to Reverse the Course of Depression, One Small Change at a Time

Korb PhD, Alex
Siegel MD, Daniel J.
New Harbinger Publications
Mar 1, 2015
The Upward Spiral: Using Neuroscience to Reverse the Course of Depression, One Small Change at a Time Cover
The Upward Spiral: Using Neuroscience to Reverse the Course of Depression, One Small Change at a Time

The Upward Spiral by Alex Korb is a practical guide to understanding and overcoming depression. Korb explains the neuroscience behind depression in an accessible way and offers dozens of straightforward tips to rewire the brain and create a happier, healthier life. The book is a must-read for those struggling with depression and therapists looking to learn more about its treatment. Korb's personal experiences make the account all the more powerful and real. Overall, The Upward Spiral is an informative and engaging book that offers simple yet profound steps for reshaping the brain, one small change at a time.

#TOP 9

A Heart So Full: Inspirational Messages for New Moms

Wait, Jenessa
Paige Tate & Co.
Paige Tate & Co
Oct 12, 2021
A Heart So Full: Inspirational Messages for New Moms Cover
A Heart So Full: Inspirational Messages for New Moms

A Heart So Full: Inspirational Messages for New Moms is a perfect pick-me-up for new moms during their first three months with a baby. The book is filled with comforting daily reflections, encouraging messages, and beautiful hand-drawn illustrations. It guides new moms to give themselves grace, accept their changing body, and trust their mothering intuition. This book is a great baby shower gift and a must-read for new moms who need reassurance that they've got this. Overall, this self-esteem book by Paige Tate & Co is a beautiful and inspiring read that helps new moms to navigate through the challenges of motherhood.

#TOP 10

The Cognitive Behavioral Workbook for Depression: A Step-by-Step Program

Knaus EdD, William J.
Ellis PhD, Albert
New Harbinger Publications
Jun 1, 2012
The Cognitive Behavioral Workbook for Depression: A Step-by-Step Program Cover
The Cognitive Behavioral Workbook for Depression: A Step-by-Step Program

The Cognitive Behavioral Workbook for Depression: A Step-by-Step Program is a comprehensive guide to overcoming depression through cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). With evidence-based tools and exercises, readers can evaluate their depression and learn essential skills to overcome it. This workbook also includes twenty-five bonus tips from depression experts that can jump-start recovery. The book is recommended by therapists nationwide and is an excellent resource for anyone struggling with depression.

Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is postpartum considered a mental illness?

The postpartum blues or “baby blues” Symptoms generally do not last for more than a few weeks, and this condition is not considered a mental health disorder, however if a person continues to experience moods swings or feelings of depression for more than two weeks after childbirth, the problem may be more serious.

2. How long does postpartum psychosis last?

Recovering from postpartum psychosis The most severe symptoms tend to last 2 to 12 weeks, and it can take 6 to 12 months or more to recover completely from the condition. But with treatment and the right support, most people with postpartum psychosis do make a full recovery.

3. What is the most common type of mental illness that occurs in the postpartum period after birth )?

Postpartum psychosis is the most severe form of postpartum psychiatric illness. It is a rare event that occurs in approximately 1 to 2 per 1000 women after childbirth. Its presentation is often dramatic, with onset of symptoms as early as the first 48 to 72 hours after delivery.

Editor's Notes

During our postpartum depression book research, we found 1,000+ postpartum depression book products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 32,116 customer reviews through our big data system to write the postpartum depression books list. We found that most customers choose postpartum depression books with an average price of $14.33.

Written by
Wilson Cook Avatar

Wilson Cook is a talented writer who has an MFA in creative writing from Williams College and has published more than 50 books acquired by hundreds of thousands of people from various countries by now. He is an inveterate reading lover as he has read a vast amount of books since childhood.