The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding

Rating:
Summary: Good information but strongly biased
Review: This book provides some very good information on manual expression and breastfeeding techniques. It also has some good basic information on complications although I think that it needs more. I am fortunate enough to be able to stay home with our baby. However, if I were not I would find some of the information on breastfeeding and working offensive. Many women don't have the luxury of "making the choice" and weighing the pros and cons of going back to work-they can't afford not to go back. The book does educate about pumping for women who do work, but the inference is fairly strong that you shouldn't be. Additionally, if you are not a fan of Dr. Sears you are going to have difficulties with this book. It advocates for the family bed/ shared sleep and is dismissive about concerns like rolling over on the baby. We have a larger, queen-sized bed but I disagree that this alleviates that concern and feel that our baby is fine in her crib in the next room. I referred to this book many times in the first week our baby was home and it had useful information. I think it's good to be well educated about your options so I certainly don't regret buying it, but definitely think the stance of La Leche League is not for me. I have ordered Nursing Mother's Companion for more comprehensive information on specific concerns and nursing and think it will be better for an ongoing nursing relationship.

Rating:
Summary: The Most Complete and Empowering Book on Breastfeeding
Review: What an empowering book! There are a lot of books out there now that talk about breastfeeding, but this one is by far my favorite. Like all the others, it has technical information about the many benefits of breastfeeding, positioning your baby, going back to work, and how to get help if you need it, but it goes so far beyond that! This book shares the incredible joy and sense of physical connection that are unique to the breastfeeding relationship, and is one of the few books I've read that affirms the tremendous importance of mothers to their babies. If you're thinking about breastfeeding and want more information, if you know you want to breastfeed and need to learn more (and PLEASE educate yourself before your baby is born -- breastfeeding is something that both mothers and babies can only learn by doing, and information is your ally!) or whether you're a proud breastfeeding mom who wants to share the experience of others in your mothering community, this book has so much to offer you. Breastfeeding has been a transformative experience for me, despite (or perhaps because of) early breastfeeding difficulties I had to overcome with both of my children. It was because of the wealth of wisdom and information in this book, and because of other help I received from La Leche League, that I was able to breastfeed successfully. I am deeply grateful to this organization, and amazed by what they've accomplished, particularly since I found out they're staffed almost entirely by volunteers.

Rating:
Summary: breastfeeding information lacks balance
Review: I am a fan of La Leche League and think they've done great things to promote breastfeeding and help mothers with many basic technical breastfeeding problems. I was disappointed, however, to read their information on breastmilk jaundice when my premature newborn was diagnosed with it. Instead of discussing various ways to deal with this condition, the authors state that it doesn't exist and imply that mothers should ignore this diagnosis. If I had followed this advice, it is likely that my baby would have spent a longer time in neonatal intensive care. Fortunately I had other pro-breastfeeeding resources on hand to consult (e.g. William Sears has a more balanced description of this condition) and have continued breastfeeding my baby after the successful treatment. Denying a well-documented medical condition because it might threaten their views seems a paranoid and irresponsible approach. I could not recommend this book to a first time mother unless she had other resources available as well.

Rating:
Summary: Has good basic information, but is preachy and narrow minded
Review: When searching for answers to quesitons and problems, I often found statements that made me feel GUILTY rather than helpful how-to information. The last thing a new mother needs is more guilt! For an equally supportive but much more realistic and well organized book try Dr. Mom's Guide to Breastfeeding by Marianne Neifert, M.D.

Rating:
Summary: One of the better books available on breastfeeding
Review: This book was very informative and supportive in content, and it was a quick read. My husband purchased this book for me after I was having problems nursing. With the help of this book I discovered reasons why nursing is so important for babies. If you are undecided about whether to nurse, read this book. It may change your attitude on breastfeeding in general, atleast it changed mine. This book is especially helpful since most Doctors don't have a clue about breastfeeding. I only wish I had read this book before I delivered my baby, it would have made the process run much smoother. However, this book needs to better address problems faced by some nursing mothers and how to resolve them.

Rating:
Summary: Be A MOTHER to YOUR CHILD!!
Review: I am a stay at home mommy and teach childbirth classes out of my home. I have read this book for my classes as well for my own personal use. It is a great reference book. Breastfeeding is an art and a wonderful and rewarding experience....Not to mention the best food for your baby. Breastfeeding is an awesome experience. Your life will be so enriched!! Your Baby will thank you! ..The book does state that the best thing you can do for your baby is to work out of the home or not return to work at all. I totally agree!! Your baby needs his mother not a stranger to care for him. Take responsibility for your children. This is a Pro-MOTHER book!

Rating:
Summary: Much more than breastfeeding information and support!
Review: Being a mother of four (all breastfed children) and expecting my fifth baby soon I decided to read the updated version of this book. The authors eloquently describe the inner woven aspects of breastfeeding and mothering. The autors have gone beyond "parenting philosopy". They have toutched on the core aspects of mothering from the heart which is all too often ignored in our society. The ideas brought forth in this book took me several babies and alot of growing pains to figure out on my own. This book should be required reading for expectant parents.

Rating:
Summary: Informative but at times a little too pushy!
Review: As a Neonatal Intensive Care Nurse and first time expectant mother, I am a strong advocate for breastfeeding. I believe the Le Leche League has provided some great information within the book that can assist a new breastfeeding parent and provide them with alternatives for support should there be none available to them. However, at the same time I felt the author's preached alot of their own opinions throughout the contents of the book. In particular, the book contains a section that provides information for the mother who is returning to work after a baby. While it provides helpful information on pumping and storing milk, it also states that the best thing you can do is arrange to work from home or better yet, not return to work. I find this a little unrealistic, since the majority of families today are two income families. The feeling I had after reading this section was that Le Leche almost looks down on mothers who return to work and do not stay home to breastfeed their children. The author's also stated on numberous occassions throughout the book to question and sometimes refuse the suggestions of the medical providers, in regards to their child's care. I am a strong believer in asking questions, but if you don't get the answers you want or understand, please get a second opinion or ask for further clarification, do not refuse medical care for yourself or your child unless you are fully aware of the implications. Overall, the factual content was good but after I completely finished reading the book, I was unsure if by joining Le Leche League I was joining a support group for my child/myself or I was joining a cult!

Rating:
Summary: Not my favorite, but a good read
Review: This book is considered to be the "Bible" of breastfeeding, but I referred to it the least of the three books I read on breastfeeding. It is a very interesting read, but I found it to be a lot of parenting "philosophy" and not enough real, practical help for breastfeeding. The testimonies of other women were fascinating to read but this isn't the book I reached for in the middle of the night to answer the tough questions.

Rating:
Summary: Encouraged me to continue breastfeeding successfully.
Review: Although I was breastfeeding for the second time, it was not easier. With the help of this book and La Leche volunteers, I was not only successful, I felt it was one of the most satisfying experiences I have ever had. I received a lot of mixed advices from doctors and friends but this book was more reliable than most. I wish I had it the first time.