Rating: 
Summary: Good source of info, but takes an absolutist stance
Review: A friend lent me this book when I was pregnant and, now that I've had my baby, I've found it useful as a source of information but was a bit surprised by the hardline stance it takes on breastfeeding. There is no gray area -- I really felt like this book told me "you're either a good mother who breastfeeds or you're a bad one who supplements breast milk with formula, or formula-feeds completely". While the authors give lots of real-life stories, they're all sort of "breastfeeding my baby is all hearts and flowers and by the way, it also brought about world peace". I would have appreciated a few accounts of frustrated moms as well, to give a more realistic slant to the book. Breastfeeding isn't a fulfilling, physically pleasurable experience for all of us -- this book made me think I was somehow failing because it is just not too comfortable for me. There were some assertions in the book that were completely false in my case (e.g. "your nipple will not look distorted after feeding" [mine sure did, and I know the latch was correct], "if you're having problems in the beginning, don't use nipple shields" [I had to at first and bf is still working out fine for me], "don't under any circumstances let the hospital give your baby water or formula" [my doctor recommended some water on day 3 to clear out my baby's digestive tract and it doesn't seem to have caused him any physical or psychological trauma or "nipple confusion"). Anyhow, prospective buyers (and moms who may be having problems with breastfeeding) out there -- just be aware that there is a gray area with breastfeeding as with everything else. In the end, do what feels right to you, not what Eiger and Olds tell you that you must or must not do.
Rating:
Summary: It was OK
Review: Although this book contained some good information, I found it to be frustrating because it made it seem as if breastfeeding should be the most natural thing in the world. Many breastfeeding mothers I have talked to said it was a struggle to get breastfeeding "right". If I only had this book as a reference, I would be very discouraged when I had problems/soreness breastfeeding. There is some good information in the book but I found that book didn't deal enough with possible problems that could arise.
Rating: 
Summary: This book will help nursing mothers breastfeed happily.
Review: Breastfeeding is easy; there is nothing complicated about it. And there is no single best way to do it. Still, it's a skill that you and your baby have to learn, and it's an activity whose success depends on the information and support that you get. When I nursed my first baby, I, like most new mothers, had many questions about all aspects of infant care. I couldn't always get answers to my questions, so I'm happy that the first two editions of this book have helped other mothers answer their questions and solve their problems. Since society is constantly changing, women's lifestyles keep changing, and ongoing research keeps bringing us new knowledge about all aspects of breastfeeding and infant care, Dr. Eiger and I have once again updated and revised the book to meet the needs of today's contemporary families. We focus on basic issues like how to tell when your baby is getting enough milk, how to take care of yourself, and how to make nursing a joyful part of your life, while fulfilling yourself in other ways as well. We discuss the needs of working mothers, the concerns of fathers, ramifications of female sexuality during lactation, special situations of premature babies, and many other issues, both common and rare. We pay special attention to the crucial early days and weeks of breastfeeding. We describe and recommend those practices that have been found to make the course of nursing go more smoothly for mothers and babies. The three essential tools for successful breastfeeding are 1) knowing what to do; 2) feeling confident that you're doing the right thing for your baby and yourself; and 3) being determined to persist in the face of minor setbacks. I hope that this newest edition of the book that many women have referred to as their "bible" should be even more helpful as you develop all three of these tools.
Rating: 
Summary: A good tool for any woman considering breastfeeding
Review: Breastfeeding is supposed to be "the most natural thing in the world". Be that as it may, it is considered one of the most difficult maneuvers to attempt for many women (myself included), leaving them feeling inadequate and failures as Moms (which they shouldn't). "The Complete Guide to Breastfeeding" gives us information that can help make breastfeeding less of an enigma. Topics covered are: *Will you, or won't you breastfeed (and the benefits of breastfeeding)
*Diet: What you should eat and drink
*Exercise: How much, how soon
*Care for your breasts
*Getting Enough Rest
*Drugs and the nursing mother
*How frequently should you nurse your baby?
*Your mental health
*Is the baby getting enough milk?
*The working nursing mother
*The Father's importance regarding breastfeeding
*Getting support for yourself
*Treating sore nipples
*Special situations
This book isn't for everyone. As a book on breastfeeding, it obviously is biased in the "breast is best" mantra. So, if you know you're planning to bottle feed, there's no need to pick up this book. If you have tried everything and nothing seems to work for you, take solace in the fact that most of us 70's kids were bottle fed, and we're just fine! This book is merely a good tool for answering common complaints, questions and worries dealing with nursing.
Rating: 
Summary: The complete book of breastfeeding
Review: Excellent book. Recommend it for every breastfeeding mother.
Rating:
Summary: Very Useful!!
Review: I am due to have my first child in two weeks and have decided that I would like to give breastfeeding a try. I attended a breastfeeding class which didn't answer all of the questions that I have about nursing and pumping and so on. I recently purchased this book and cannot believe the amount of useful information that it contains. Every question that I've had has been answered by reading this book from minor things like when to burp the baby to how long to store the expressed milk. I feel very relieved that I have this resource to revert to because as a first time mother...I have a lot of questions about nursing. I highly recommend this book.
Rating:
Summary: Best Info Overall
Review: I bought every book I could find on this subject and found this one to have the most complete and helpful info. As added bonuses, it is compact and easy to hold while you have the baby with you (and fits nicely in your suitcase)and is a third of the price of other books.
Rating:
Summary: Practical book. Enjoyable reading
Review: I bought this book five years ago during my first pregnancy. Although I was already enthusiastic about breastfeeding, this book gave me scientific reasons for it, explaining in detail the physical and emotional/psychological benefits of it. It also discusses other aspects of breastfeeding such as techniques, how to overcome possible initial problems, helpful instruments (pumps)and a long etcetera. I have lent this book to a number of friends who were expecting and all have loved it and learned as much as much as I have. I thoroughly recommend it to all expectant mothers, particularly those who believe there is no difference between breastfeeding and bottle-feeding.
Rating:
Summary: Complete , concise and easy to understand
Review: I bought this book for my daughter who just delivered her first child. I read the book myself before I gave it to her. I found this book to be very complete, easy to follow, and understand. As a non breastfeeding mother myself, I am very sorry that I did not breast feed my children. As the book mentioned, during the 1960 and 1970's breatfeeding in the United States was at its lowest point in history and I was not encouraged to breastfeed my children nor did I know any of the benifits of breastfeeding for both the mother and the child that are explained in detail in this book. I wish I knew then what I know now.
This book explains that breastfeeding is a learned skill for both mother and baby. Patients, support, and encouragement from all family members can greatly benefit a successful outcome. This book would be very helpful for husbands, grandparents, and other family members to understand the breastfeeding process to better support mother and child in this sometimes difficult, but extremely benefical process.
Rating:
Summary: Great book for working-outside-of-home mothers!
Review: I bought this book while I was nursing my second baby because I needed reassurance all over again. (There are 8 years' difference in my first and second children.) Thanks goodness I bought it, as I'm now nursing baby #3, and I STILL needed to refer to this book (every baby's different, you know!). The Complete Book of Breastfeeding offered all the support that I couldn't get from others. It even has a chapter for the father of the baby, so that he can better understand your decision to breastfeed, and what he can do to help you and how he can bond w/ baby. This book also offers advice on how to handle those who tell you that a mother's milk is not sufficient for providing enough nutrition for your baby. With help from this book, I was able to learn how to build up my milk supply and keep it up after going back to work. It also gave me the nerve to talk w/ my boss about breastfeeding issues and ask for permission to take a longer bathroom break then usual in order to pump milk for my baby for the next day. There is an excellent section in here that tells you when it's safe to nurse if you're sick, and what medications are OK to take while nursing. If you are determined to nurse your baby, to continue breastfeeding after returning to work, or just need information while you're nursing, this book is an excellent choice in helping you prepare for every situation that arrives.
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