Local Author Pens How-to Guide for New Mothers

Christmas is coming early for new moms as Gea Meijering launches "The First 8 Days of Being a Mom."

Geared towards moms' health and that of the newborn, the 80-page guide leads mothers through delivery day and the first week, a crucial time where the author feels new mothers get inadequate assistance.

Meijering, a Laguna Beach resident, gave birth to two sons on two different continents. She discovered that maternity care and recovery in the U.S. differed markedly from that of the Netherlands.

She was amazed by how quickly most new moms in the U.S. are on their own after delivery, with little time to recuperate, get used to the newborn or learn baby-caring skills.

By comparison, in the Netherlands a specialized nurse helps every new mom at home for the first 8 days after delivery.

Meijering realized that the Dutch approach she experienced with her oldest son was very special, and set out to translate the book she was introduced to in order to help moms in the U.S.

"The First 8 Days of Being a Mom" is available online at www.first8days.com or www.icarepress.com.