Mama You Got This

May 16, 2022
Bunton, better known as Baby Spice from the Spice Girls (though she jokes that she became “Booby Spice” while breastfeeding) shines in her debut, a no-nonsense, just-us-girls guide to a baby’s first year. Whether discussing self-care, deciphering rashes on newborns, or checking off infant milestones, Bunton goes heavy on reassurance and urges parents to trust their instincts. She outlines essential equipment (a sling, for instance, is crucial, as it “lets you ‘wear’ your baby while also having your hands free so you can do things like eating and drinking”) and confesses to her embarrassing new mom mishaps, such as milk leakage at inopportune times (for her, wearing Roberto Cavalli on stage in Los Angeles). Mindfulness tips are sprinkled throughout, especially for dealing with the postpartum “fourth trimester,” and she dabbles in healing crystals, too (Bunton is partial to pink quartz as a reminder of “love and acceptance”). She also folds in advice from experts, including a mindfulness and emotional resolution coach, a child psychologist, a midwife, and a breastfeeding counselor. Bunton is refreshingly candid, and her wisdom and best friend tone will reassure anxious mothers they can trust themselves and “know that you are enough.” First-time moms will find this chatty guide a balm.