It’s Here! Introducing "Baby’s First Year of Life: Real Advice. No Sugarcoating."

Welcome! I’m Emma Markey, and I am incredibly excited to announce that my book, "Baby’s First Year of Life: Real Advice. No Sugarcoating." is officially available!

This book, published in Ireland by Orla Kelly Publishing, is the straightforward, practical resource I wish I had during those early, chaotic days.

Meet the Author: Balancing Structure and Chaos

For those new here, let me introduce myself. I am a stay-at-home mom to two girls, Anna and Molly, who are just 16 months apart. Before embracing the mayhem of raising two under two, I worked full-time as a social worker, specialising in disability services and child protective services. I also navigated pregnancy as a Type 1 diabetic, an experience that profoundly shaped my approach to motherhood: balancing the chaos with structure.

Motherhood is the hardest, most rewarding job you’ll ever have, but when I was reading books and researching, the advice was often vague. Everyone offered platitudes like, "Once you get into a sleep routine..." but no one told me how to get there.

The Core Philosophy: Consistency is Key

This book isn't a rigid manual, but a guide rooted in consistency and long-term structure. I believe in starting as you mean to go on.

You will find actionable guidance on everything from feeding schedules to bedtime routines, starting as early as six weeks. My goal is to share what worked for me, so you can find your own path with more confidence and less stress.

What You'll Find Inside: Your First-Year Toolkit

"Baby’s First Year of Life" is designed to simplify that overwhelming first year, covering six comprehensive chapters:

• Chapter One: Be Prepared. I dive into the essential equipment you need. For instance, a co-sleeping crib is a lifesaver as it allows your baby to sleep safely next to you, aiding the bonding relationship and postpartum recovery, and it is a much safer alternative to bed sharing. You'll also find the famous cabbage hack for immense relief on hard, swollen breasts postpartum.

• Chapter Two: Feeding. I share my journey with bottle-feeding, which was a natural choice for me as a Type 1 Diabetic, and navigating weaning methods like Baby-Led Weaning (BLW).

• Chapter Three: Sleep. This chapter explains how I introduced routines consistently starting at six weeks, focusing on teaching the baby the difference between day and night.

• Chapter Four: Milestones. This chapter details the rapid growth, learning, and developmental milestones you can expect.

• Chapter Five: General Tips and what’s often overlooked. This is your shortcut to hacks for daily tasks, such as rolling a soiled onesie down the legs, not over the head, during a "poonami".

• Chapter Six: Timeline Breakdown. This section breaks down implementation strategies across 0–6 Weeks through 9–12 Months.

A Final Note of Confidence

This isn't about aiming for perfection. This is about sharing the good, the messy, and everything in between.

Remember, trust your instincts, because no one knows your baby better than you. A mother’s intuition is a power all its own.

You’ve got this. And I’m here to help.