Rating: 
Summary: Not as comprehensive as advertised
Review: We purchased this book after having spoken to a relative who has been LLL for 20 years, lactation consultants, neo-natal intensive care specialists, a doula and pediatrician. My wife was so looking forward to breast-feeding we wanted to do everything right. Unfortunately, our son has other ideas. Our pediatrician believes that some babies just do not like taking milk from the breast. So, now that you know where I am coming from, here is my beef about the book. Throughout the book, problems are brought out, but instantly dissolve if only the baby is breastfed. The book purports to be comprehensive, yet it has no information for babies who are drinking expressed breast milk from a bottle. Apparently, LLL believes that milk taken directly from the breast is the only type of breast feeding that exists (or should.)
Rating: 
Summary: Pryor's _Nursing Your Baby_ is better
Review: Yes, this is one of the most popular texts on breastfeeding and it's fine as far as it goes, but having breastfed both of my kids (the first for 18 months and the second for two and counting), I must say I always find The Womanly Art disappointing. It's too busy rhapsodizing to give much practical information and far too often, it creates the impression that if there are problems in the breastfeeding relationship, re-positioning will fix them. This is not always true. Some women will have significant discomfort and even pain for several weeks when nursing - and even longer if their child has a high palate (which Art never discusses). I think La Leche League would do a far greater service to breastfeeding moms if they just admitted this. Then maybe fewer women would give up nursing because they think they're doing something wrong. In any case this is an okay basic text, but for specific info. Kathleen Huggins' _Nursing Mother's Companion_ is better and for sensible, comforting help, I think Karen Pryor's _Nursing Your Baby_ is wonderful.
Rating:
Summary: Good Information, But Hard to Get At
Review: I had trouble wading through this book. It wanders a little and the style seemed a bit fragmented. There's good stuff in there, but it's sandwiched between many side stories (which tend to end with "I called LLL and they fixed everything") and a good deal of personal/LLL opinion. It might ALMOST have been better titled "La Leche's Advice for Early Child-Rearing, with Notes on Breast-Feeding". (For example, they tell you not to spank... I got spanked, though not often, and I remember it as loving, last-resort discipline which worked.) A better buy might be "The Complete Book of Breastfeeding", by Marvin S. Eiger and Sally Wendkos Olds. I read that book through with pleasure and would recommend it to anyone.
Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful, encouraging book! Must for new mamas!!
Review: This book was helpful to me when my son was born and talked about many issues surrounding breastfeeding that are important. Addressing many issues such as the newborn and first-time nursing experiences, getting enough rest, the whole family, pumping milk to go back to work- this book touches on many critical issues that are on a new mothers mind. Another reviewer didn't appreciate the tone of certain passages that encourage a mother to trust her own instincts. I think that not enough mothers are encouraged to trust their own instincts when it comes to their baby. Often doctors and other well-intentioned people around a new mother offer plenty of advice about what the "right" thing to do for their baby is. This book simply encourags you to put the most faith in yourself and inyour judgement of your child's needs and health. No one else can ever know your child like you do or know what is right for your child. So, in defense of this fabulous book, I want to say that there is no ulterior motive at work in this book: the authors are trying to be supportive of healthy families and healthy parenting. La Leche League is a strong advocate for children and mothers everywhere and this book really serves as a useful tool to support families who acknowledge breastfeeding as the one of the most important gifts for a newborn and his family.
Rating: 
Summary: There are much better books available
Review: I found this book extremely disappointing. Basically, it's a propaganda piece about how great breastfeeding is (which I agree, it is wonderful). But the book is not so helpful when you need information about breastfeeding problems. It's doesn't have enough unbiased, practical information on breast infections, alternate feeding plans for babies having trouble latching on, or pumping milk when you work outside the home. My daughter was premature and had trouble latching on. So we had to offer a mixture of pumped milk and formula. Much more helpful to me was Kathleen Huggins' Nursing Mother's Companion, a lifesaver.
Rating:
Summary: Womanly Art of Breastfeeding
Review: I love this book! Every time I read it I learn something. It has helped me through many problems, and encouraged me to keep going when I felt unsure. I have even been able to help my GP with diagnosing my own breastfeeding problems!This book has saved my life, and I recommend it to every new parent who wants to make a commitment to breastfeeding.(And contrary to some other reviews, this book helped me when I went back to work). I have nursed 4 children, all for more than a year.
Rating:
Summary: Biased against working mothers
Review: One of the reasons I want to breastfeed is because I have to (and WANT to) go back to work. While this book is informative, it is strongly anti-working mother. There is very little information on pumping and storing milk. Testimonials from working mothers emphasize how the mothers dread going back to work and what a chore pumping is. If you are a working mom-to-be then don't bother with this book - it will only tick you off!
Rating:
Summary: Breastfeeding and beyond. This book is just for you!
Review: Is your baby due soon? This book is full of great information on breastfeeding and will help you make an informed decision about how to feed and care for your newborn baby. Or maybe your baby is already born and you are looking for a good book about breastfeeding. Either way, this book is a great resource! Many mothers come to realize, during the course of their pregnancy, that everyone she knows will offer her "advice" on how to feed and care for her newborn baby. That can be confusing to a new mother because so many women have different ideas about caring for the newborn. Helpful information is what you will find in this book. "The Womanly Art of Breatfeeding" offers a wonderful opportunity to read from the experts on the health topic of breastfeeding. When reading this book, a woman is offered suggestions about breastfeeding that when followed can ensure success. This book also covers how the father can be fully involved in the care of the baby. Many fathers will find this reassuring that they will not be "left out" because they're not bottle feeding. I enjoyed reading this during my first pregnancy, and I feel sure you will, too! Actually, I read it more than once because I enjoyed reading it so much. The parenting suggestions included in this book are, in my opinion, meant to be a guide for you. You will know your baby best. After reading this book you can look forward to believing in yourself and your ability to mother your baby. A mother will gain confindence from the information in this book. The Womanly Art gives mothers solid information to start successfully nursing a newborn while touching on less common subjects such as health problems with the newborn or the mother, after the birth and beyond. This book is a great resource for expectant mothers. The "Womanly Art of Breastfeeding" is the best!
Rating:
Summary: To Aid in Successful Breastfeeding
Review: If you are planning on breastfeeding this book is necessary! Not only did I read it during my pregnancy, I refered to it often while I was breastfeeding. Breastfeeding doesn't come naturally, and to avoid problems or if you are having problems this book gives you good advice. La Leche League is a world wide organization (also has a great web site for support) dedicated to helping families learn about and enjoy the experience of breastfeeding.
Rating:
Summary: Best for your baby
Review: This book is a gift for mothers who wish to breastfeed. The support offered by LLL is encompased beautifully in its pages. It offers information and suggestions about breastfeeding and mothering babies and toddlers. I particularly like the chapter on fathering. The Womanly Art looks at breastfeeding and caring for a new baby as it affects the whole family. Read it and contact La Leche League to find a group in your area. Going to LLL meetings before and after your baby is born is a great way to get support for the most important job in your life!
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