Baby Bumps: From Party Girl to Proud Mama, and all the Messy Milestones Along the Way

by Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi

The greatest thing Nicole Polizzi, aka “Snooki,” ever did was by accident. But her son, Lorenzo, was never a mistake. When she and her boyfriend, Jionni, found out she was knocked up, they weren't married or engaged. She was only twenty-four and living with her parents—and she had zero baby experience. With a reckless, party girl TV persona to deal with, she had a lot to learn and discover in becoming a mother.
In this funny and frank book, Nicole shares her experiences, everything from the first sonogram to the nipple-cracking shock of breastfeeding. In each chapter, she tells the unvarnished truth about pregnancy symptoms (“The High Price of Gas”), the ridiculousness of her baby registry (“Butt Paste and Boogie Wipes”) and the lowdown on postpartum life (“Shit Happens”). There's a ton of useful information, including a list of must-have baby products, MILF style tips, how to keep “I'm a whale” preggers bad body image in check, and how she got into the best shape of her life within six months of giving birth. Although Nicole had to give up partying, she's embracing motherhood the only way she knows with a fun-loving attitude—and lots of leopard print!

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Biography

232 pages, Hardcover

First published December 24, 2013

About the author

A native of Poughkeepsie, NY, Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi is a reality television hit who comes from a close-knit Italian family. Fun, outgoing, spontaneous, loving and loud are just a few words that describe this veterinary tech major, whose hobbies include cheerleading, shopping, tanning, working out, and of course always looking good. Nicole appeared on MTV's reality show Is She Really Going Out With Him? but broke into the spotlight with her trademark poof on MTV's Jersey Shore in December 2009. She helped make Jersey Shore one of the highest rated shows in MTV history, which drew in 5.8 million viewers. Nicole has appeared on almost every major talkshow, as well as a few award shows, and is regularly covered by TMZ, The New York Post's Page Six, Perez Hilton, Entertainment Tonight, and Access Hollywood.

Reviews

[Diana Newman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved reading about her journey to motherhood! It is about as real as it gets with all the good and bad things your experience during pregnancy and beyond. Was super funny and such a great read! Would recommend to anyone :)

[nicole · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wanted to read something light, but pregnancy related, while traveling to London. But man, this was way worse than I could have anticipated. It was a rough read, poorly written in the "voice" Polizzi attaches to her persona and full of advice I just couldn't get behind. Every part just reeked of irresponsibility - how she became pregnant, moving into her fiancee's basement, the way her friends treated her, the fact she attached an iPad to her infant son's crib (I KNOW!!). But because I'd carried it all the way across the Atlantic Ocean, I forced myself to finish it. By the end, I wish I had just caved and gotten Jenny McCarthy's Belly Laughs instead. (Although now I absolutely refuse - no more celebrity preggo books!)

A good pregnancy or early motherhood memoir is hard to find! Any and all recommendations welcome, although I do have a small pile of suggestions of early mom-centric reads from my local seasoned moms. The best advice I've yet to take is to stop reading about pregnancy and start reading all those baby books I won't have time to once our little reader arrives. But there is something really satisfying about reading works related to this physical change that is taking place right now, like this article which was recently on the Huffington Post and is easily the truest thing I have ever read.

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not only is Baby Bumps an extremely read, it offers valuable information for parents that are expecting a child, especially those first newborns. I would urge parents-to-be to read this book. Say whatever you want about "Snooki," but she truly doesn't sugar coat any of the gory details that pregnancy produces. She tells what pregnancy is really like. Great book, boo boo!

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this girl's honesty. Everything she put in the book about pregnancy and the first months following I could relate to! Plus it was hilarious. I'm team snooki all the way.

[Danica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was surprised at how much I liked this book. She's brutally honest and pretty hilarious - I laughed out loud several times. It's definitely an easy, light, for-fun read.

[Eggy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm a Jersey Shore fan so I thought this would be a fun read.

A lot of stories are re-told from Snooki & JWOWW, and the book feels like it sounds more like Nicole at the beginning than the end. Obviously I have no idea how involved she was in the writing process, but this makes it seem like she was very involved in the beginning and then gave up halfway through. I was hoping to hear more than what I've already seen on the show.

The book is very repetitive and has a lot of inconsistencies in it. Nicole says Jenni is 5 years older than her (according to Google they're 2 years apart), says she eats a certain amount of calories on one page then changes the amount a few pages later. Also, 50% of this book is about poop. Like, I get it I'm sure there's a lot of issues with that during pregnancy and while caring for your first child, but the descriptions were over the top and repetitive.

I wanted to drop this book but by the time I realized I should I was already halfway done so...here we are.

[Hilary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, and found it a very easy read. It was laugh out loud funny at some parts, and I also enjoyed the picture section. One thing that kind of disappointed me though, was that at least half of the anecdotes were already shown on Jersey Shore show or the Jwow and Snooki show. So if you are a fan and have watched all of the episodes like me, then you will notice this. Some of the incidents were almost word for word what they showed on TV. I was kinda hoping for a little more "inside" info. But I did really enjoy her realistic take on pregnancy and motherhood!

[Maggie Salomon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting and entertaining. It's a must read if you're pregnant or planning for a baby. I loved the chapters about after the baby. It's refreshing to know how mom and dad handle being parents and trying to be themselves too.

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love Snooki! I loved her book! It was great! It was funny and an easy read! My husband and I are trying to have a baby and this book was like a down to earth version of what to expect when expecting! Definitely a good read!

[Cheyenne Light · Rating 4 out of 5]

She had some gruesome moments but I know where she is coming from because I have two kids of my own and their is nothing better than having ur own kids. Plus anything by snooki im gonna love she is soo funny and seems to be a great person.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the new snooki, she's such an inspiration! This book was beyond awesome and made me so excited for my future.

[Tanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this out of curiosity more than anything - I've never watched her shows but have seen an interview or two. I don't know if I held the bar really low or she just is cool but I really enjoyed this. lol I certainly don't agree with everything she has to say but I was really surprised that the vast majority of it made sense to me. It's easy to crack jokes & slam her (& I'm not saying she didn't provide a lot of material to work with) but she really is a young woman who seems to have done a lot of growing up recently. If you've got a day or two to kill this isn't a bad way to spend it. If you're a Mom you'll definitely get a few laughs out of it. Bonus!

[Emma · Rating 2 out of 5]

I watched the first three season of "The Jersey Shore," and while I was never die-hard fan of the show, it kept me amused. I decided to read her memoir, since I stopped watching the show and never watched "Snooki and Jwoww" since Snooki had a kid. I enjoyed how honest she was about being pregnant and all that it entails. She has no problem admitting how cranky and whiney she was, and she was also honest with how pregnancy changes your body. However, I found it off-putting how she addressed her battle with anorexia. She seemed very flippant, which I can find offensive to people who have struggled with eating disorders.

[K · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was an interesting take on parenthood and that's what really led me to enjoying it. There were a few technical issues. In certain places the book became a bit repetitive. For the most part, other than a few mistakes I noticed, it was edited pretty well. It definitely showed an important side of motherhood. It was nice to hear someone's account of what pregnancy, labor, delivery, and onward is really like.

[Kristina Kvc · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not pregnant.. Or planning to be... But I wanted to read one of her books out of curiosity. And I definitely didn't want to buy her previous books that she's written during her slobbery drunk days lol.. Anyways, I love Nicole's blunt humour... I never thought I'd say this, but it's an enjoyable read when bored or before bed.... I like this book! Good job Shnooks!

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

So far I'm sort of surprised how much I'm enjoying this book. Not saying it's well done, but I don't have children yet and I feel like this is better prep than most books. I watched the Jersey Shore and it's sort of nice to hear how well the most messed up person I've ever seen on TV is doing. Weil done Nicole.

[Teena · Rating 3 out of 5]

Don't hate on me for this--it was a guilty pleasure!

Obviously, Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi isn't a Rhodes Scholar, but I actually liked this book. Regardless of whether she was a party girl on Jersey Shore, she certainly has cleaned up her act and transformed herself into an awesome mother.

Considering her reality show fame, she could have done a lot worse.

[Ally Collins · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a huge Snooki fan so I enjoyed reading about her journey into motherhood. It was funny and it was a light read. If your a fan I would read, if you are looking for something educational about pregnancy this is NOT the book for you. I think she makes it pretty clear that she isn't a doctor and it's not an educational pregnancy book, but it is funny and it has stories of motherhood.

[Whitsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I laughed, and I tried to ignore the misty eyes some of her baby excitement gave me. I just went threw all that myself, so I related. I say 4 stars only because everything I read was recorded on her tv show. So it was more of a "I remember that" kind of deal. But I'm glad I bought it. A year ago I never would have believed I could relate so much to SNOOKI. I don't mind though.

[Cassie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy Snooki in her crazy drunk days, but this book shows how fast she has grown up. I enjoyed reading about all the real details of pregnancy that not alot of women would talk about. I am happy for her and far she has come. She is great mom!

[Leanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the days and weeks following my father's passing, I entertained myself by watching the entire run of Jersey Shore at least twice. Since then I've developed a serious soft spot for that show and all the characters. This book is a cute and funny tale of Snooki's transformation into a mother.

[Megg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it! I haven't had kids but it was nice to see a more honest view on pregnancy and it's ups and downs. And she has never been one to sugar coat anything.
I read it in about a day. I couldn't put it down. I love it.

[Alexandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super entertaining! I love Snooki's sarcasm and story-telling in this mini autobiography. I finished it in a couple of days and I have to say the only part that dragged was when she started talking about her workout. Call me lazy, by exercise is a bore. Other than that, fantastic read!

[Mya Lilly ❊ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! I didn't read it because I am going to have a baby anytime soon. I read it because I love Nicole so much, she has become a fit proud Mumma, due for another baby girl!! Which is fabulous :)

[Lisa Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an easy read, somewhat enjoyable.mhonestly, I wasn't expecting much from Snooki. I do have to admit....knowing someone like Snooki survived childbirth makes me feel a little less nervous about myself.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Actually laugh out loud funny.

It's actually interesting to see how Snooki has changed, and for the better. She really has done a 180, and it's great. I've been questioning reading her other books, and at this point I definitely will.

Recommended for anyone who needs a good laugh.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like Snooki and I love her transformation! Really good quick read. So happy for her :)

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

So cute! I loved every minute of it!

[Luis · Rating 5 out of 5]

How do I read this book

[Debi Rice · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book was hilarious! She makes pregnancy real and funny! I would recommend this book!