Rating: 
Summary: A Good Source of Info on Weaning and Weaning Techniques
Review: This book begins with a fascinating chapter on the history and sociology of Breastfeeding and Weaning [and the politics as well!]. I found that very interesting. More than 90 pages of the book are devoted to how to wean a baby who is less than 12 months old - which might be helpful to many moms, but is useless to anyone who is nursing a baby older than that. I found the book to be VERY honest and direct on both the pros and cons of weaning in each age category [0-4 mos, 5-12 mos, 1-2 yrs, 3 and older]. The author was very supportive of a mother's wish to wean [or not], regardless of her reasons and gave the facts about the benefits and costs of the decision in a very forthright and non-judgemental fashion. She included a huge number of practical tips on weaning in different situations and for different reasons. She offered information on every choice available without judgement - including some methods condemned by most Breastfeeding Advocates - such as weaning by "abandonment", applying disgusting or pain-inducing substances to the breast to traumatize the baby out of wanting to nurse, and weaning by frightening the baby. I didn't care for those methods, but she was certainly honest and thorough on ALL the options available. She gave many, many tips on methods that might be more healthy for the baby as well, and I felt the book was very complete.
Rating: 
Summary: Mistitled, but some good information
Review: This book is less about weaning than it is about justifying the decision to nurse a child for as long as he/she wants, even 4, 5 or 6 years! Much of the book is discussion about how extended nursing is the norm most everywhere but here--we (Americans) are the ones who have tried to put limits on it. Unfortunately, not every mother is willing/able to nurse for that long and there is not a lot of practical weaning information for her. I was having a specific problem nursing my 15 mo. old and this book did not even address it. I really expected more from this book, since Kathleen Huggins' other book, The Nursing Mothers Companion, was so practical and helpful. The bottom line is, if you really want to wean your baby, don't bother with this book. If you want encouragement for extended breastfeeding, you'll find it here.
Rating: 
Summary: A Book about Breast feeding problems and solutions
Review: This book should be treated as a breast feeding woman's Bible. The book encourages breast feeding an older toddler and at the same time encourages a sensitive weaning process. I breast feed a 2 year old and this book has given all the support I needed until now. Even though the title says "guide to weaning" I think this book should be read by breast feeding mothers who wants to continue to do so.
Rating:
Summary: sensitive support and accurate information
Review: This may not be the book for you if you truly don't want to nurse, but if you are a *nursing mother* who wants or needs to wean as the title suggests, then this thoughtful book can help you to thoroughly examine your options when faced with this sometimes difficult transition. With sensitivity that only a nursing mother herself could offer, Kathleen Huggins does an excellent job of explaining the how-to's of weaning, but more importantly she discusses how to do it lovingly, gently, and respectfully of the child's needs, as well as the mothers. This book is for women who value the nursing relationship and want the best for their child. If you are merely looking for an excuse not to nurse, or for cleverly veiled rationalizations for denying your children the most beautiful, most nutritionally, imunologically, and emotionally superior way to nurture and feed your child, buy Bottlefeeding Without Guilt (now renamed When Breastfeeding is Not an Option) instead.
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