The New Mum's Notebook: Amy Ransom

My neighbour (who im friendly with but dont actually know properly) was pregnant with her 1st baby we had a few quick chats and i though what can i buy thats useful but not intrusive or something she already has. Then i remebered this book! I follow amy on instagram and its absolutely perfect when you want to give the gift of comfort, wisdom, humour, encouragement and the knowledge that you really arent alone. My neighbour was absolutely over the moon and said its the most thoughtful and useful gift ever! Thank you so so much Amy. Xxxxxx

Was bought as a gift postpartum as partner could see I was struggling a little. Found this book really nice, the prompts were helpful and the affirmations and reassurances about having a newborn made me feel better about how I felt. It's a nice excuse to take 5mins to myself to write about my day.

I bought this for a friend from work who I don't know very well but was for a baby!She really liked it and said several times how much she liked it.It can be do difficult to buy for a new baby as there's so much stuff involved and you don't know what they have and what you will duplicate but this is really nice and you can't go wrong with it!I will buy again for a gift for others 👍

I bought these as a Christmas present for my twin nieces who were pregnant at the same time! The book/diary is a LOT thicker than I'd thought. I had a quick flick through and the advice was helpful and upbeat without being all perfect 'earth mother' if you get what I mean!One niece had her little boy 3.5 wks early just before Christmas and unfortunately he had jaundice as he was premature. This meant he had to go into an incubator and they had tķo stay in hospital over Christmas. She was understandably upset and down so was reading the book whilst waiting for feeding time and said that whatever passage she was reading at the time was really helpful and put things in perspective and was grateful that she had the book. So I'm delighted that it was helpful when she really needed it.

This book is great BUT if you're thinking of giving it as a present, be aware that Penguin, in their infinite wisdom have PRINTED a label (which can't be detached, of course) on the back on which the price of the item is clearly marked.

Loved this book so much I bought another ready for the arrival of my second child. Such a special keepsake and the advice given throughout the book is golden. It's helped me enormously throughout the first year (and beyond) with each of my children. This book has been like a wise friend who always knows exactly what to say when I've had days where I've doubted myself and has made me feel more normal (because yes, when you become a mum whether it's for the first time or more, you do wonder sometimes if you're going a little crazy!!) I read and re-read the motivational quotes/advice frequently. I honestly can't thank Amy Ransom enough for putting this out into the world. I'll be buying a copy as an essential gift for any mum to be from now on.

As a third time mum who has forgotten so many details about the early days with my first two I love this book! It’s going to serve as a wonderful keepsake and to actually have one place where all my memories are kept is great. I’m not great at writing a diary but this has prompts and ideas to keep your memories in order. Thoroughly recommend for any new mum first or fifth baby!

I should preface this by saying I got this while pregnant, it may be totally different once baby arrives.The positives: Beautifully made, lovely paper, great colours and a very attractive book all round. Liked some of the prompts and the mile stone list was great. Great gift in terms of presentation.The negatives: This book scared and depressed the crap out of me. It's plugged as being positive but I found it depressing and negative in the way it was presented. Kind of 'No matter how much you feel like a failure, you're doing awesome', 'We know you feel terrible but you got this' kind of sentiment. The book is about not being hard on yourself, you're doing well..... despite allllllll those doubts.Realistic maybe but it stressed to me just how isolated, physically and emotionally drained, utterly incapable I'm going to feel. When baby is here I'm sure I will appreciate reading that what I'm feeling is all totally normal but as a prospective mum, it's daunting and scary.The other this I didn't think was great were the lists for TV and films. It was a filler to me, extremally obvious suggestions that most people will have seen or have been hyped. Food ideas too. Nothing new here and a missed opportunity.Perhaps I will repurchase once baby is here and I need that reassurance but for now, ignorance is bliss.