Rating: 
Summary: Not for you if you are not 100% sure about breastfeeding
Review: I am expecting my first child in June, and purchased this book to learn more about breastfeeding. Not having any friends who have breast fed their children, I am a little nervous and don't really know what to expect. I've heard all of the horror stories and was hoping to avoid them. I expected to get a how-to guide, and some reassurance about the benefits of breastfeeding.
Well, what I got was an endless lecture from the author. This book makes you feel like you are commiting some kind of a crime if you choose not to breastfeed! I got so tired of the endless preaching and badgering by the author, that I simply put the book down.(I didn't even get past the first 75pages!)
If you are looking for basic how-to information and what to expect, this is not the book for you! It did nothing to calm my fears about this new experience. In fact, I'm more fearful now than I was before I read it. If I listen to the nonsense in this book, I am committing a form of child abuse if I choose to bottle-feed my child!
Breast or bottle feeding is a personal choice, and no one has the right to pass judgment if they choose to give their child a bottle!
Rating: 
Summary: you CAN do it
Review: I wanted to breastfeed but more than one person assured me that it's next to impossible. I have two friends who've breastfed, but I was starting to wonder if I'd be able to. Luckily, I stumbled across this book! I found it to be very reader-friendly. I went through it in a couple of days. Then I went through it a second time with a highlighter. I lent it to my sister-in-law who was also expecting her first. She read it in a few days, gave it back and bought her own copy. From time to time, something would come up about nursing and I'd said, "Wow, where'd you learn that?" She'd said, "It's in the book!" Guess I didn't absorb the details she did!The biggest positive I got from this book was the message that YOU CAN breastfeed. It should be common sense that a woman's body is made for it, but it seems like America in general thinks formula is a better idea. There were many good points that drive this message home, like the fact that America is the ONLY country where so many women just "can't". Do we have the only geographic climate that makes it difficult? Or is it our social climate?! I was nervous that, while helpful, the information in this book might not be practical, but the only big problem I had putting theory into practice was the nosy nurse who forced me to let my son latch on wrong the first time!!! Once she left, we got it straightened out. I knew more than she did! My criticism would be that everything I've read that's pro-breastfeeding (books, websites, etc. including this) are very negative about formula. On the other hand, people who don't believe in nursing are very down on it. You just can't find an informative neutral source!
Rating:
Summary: Worth Reading
Review: If you are breastfeeding, this book is worth reading. It helped with a lot of common, what seemed like silly, questions. It adds a lot of humor to breastfeeding and makes every page interesting to read.
Rating:
Summary: Well-Meaning, but Over the Top
Review: The author is definately enthusiastic about her topic, but she tends to be a bit militant. If you are considering pumping, using a pacifier, offering rice cereal before 6 months, and weaning between 9 and 12 months, this book is going to make you feel guilty about all those choices. I thought some sections--particularly those on breastpumps, rubber nipple options, antidepressants, and lanolin--were out of date, but this book IS 5 years old now. Finally, I was dissappointed with some of the "voodoo mystical" advice. I needed more practical advice in some areas (such as, when should I have a newborn switch breasts?) and this book left me feeling that I would "just know" or the "baby would let me know." I realize that all breasts and all babies are different, but I wanted some more concrete clues. The author is right-on when it comes to our culture's overly-sexualized view of breasts and the social pressures a new mother might encounter which may discourage her from breastfeeding. However, there have got to be less militant ways of combating these negative influences.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful lighter approach to a serious issue
Review: I definately recommend this book to every mom or mom to be, heck I recommend dad's read it too. Very down to earth real approach to a very real issue/problem. REAL EYE OPENER!
Rating: 
Summary: I guess this is a lesson to me.
Review: A lesson to read ALL reviews for a book before buying it. I purchased this book in the hopes that it will prepare me for what awaits when I breastfeed, but ultimately got a guilt trip because I'm planning on expressing milk so that my husband can also feed the baby. According to this book, only the breast will do. The reader is basically TOLD that the only PROPER way to breastfeed is for the mother to take on ALL feeding responsibility. Call me a radical, but I don't think that's at all fair to the father, OR the mother, for that matter. All in all, a very disappointing book. I was expecting a fun, humorous read akin to "The Girlfriend's Guide to Pregnancy", but instead got saddled with an intense guilt trip because I don't intend to breastfeed until the child is ready for college. I couldn't even get through a quarter of it because of the intense bias. Basically, a waste of money.
Rating:
Summary: A MUST READ for every new mom!
Review: I cannot say enough about this book! After one failed attempt at breastfeeding, I was feeling very insecure while awaiting the birth of our second child. With our first child I just assumed that breastfeeding was an instinct. WRONG! I knew I needed education. THIS BOOK IS PERFECT! This book covers everything you ever needed to know about breastfeeding from how milk is produced to latching on to extended breastfeeding to how to politely tell your mother that no, formula is NOT better. :) Yes, this book is pro-breastfeeding. And why not? Everyone knows that breastmilk is the best for baby! This book is hysterical, written in a "girlfiend to girlfriend" style with LOTS of laughs. I purchase this book for every pregnant woman I know. To date I have bought seven and I am going to buy another one today for yet another pregnant friend. BUY THIS BOOK NOW! You won't regret it!
Rating:
Summary: This is the gift I give at showers--move over La Leche!
Review: Entertaining, humorous and above all fully informative, this book makes a great introduction to breastfeeding--especially for women who are afraid of the idea of breasts being used as feeding implements. The introductory chapters convincingly build an informed case for breastmilk over formula for the faint at heart--and the following chapters are filled with information that even a non-novice can learn from. I gave this book to a faint at heart who is still breastfeeding her 1 year old successfully to this day. Though I read and benefited from other breastfeeding mainstays, such as the La Leche League Handbook, this was the book that gave me the most digestible information, as well as true confidence and inspiration.
Rating:
Summary: Only for fanatics
Review: This book, like many breastfeeding books, provides little insight for those who really experience problems breastfeeding. The main objective of this book is to guilt you into thinking that breastfeeding at the breast is the only option. Well guess what - you can feed breast milk from a bottle too. The reviewer from PA is correct, the discussion on the mechanics is poor. As a result, I went through traumatized nipples, 3 weeks of yeast infections (both baby and me), mastitis, and a strenuous start to a relationship with my child. Get a real book on breastfeeding - one that provides objective information that will help you if you experience problems. Remember the real goal isn't breastfeeding, it is loving and enjoying your satisfied child. BTW, I am still breastfeeding thanks to a fabulous lactation consultant who did not guilt me into continuing and was willing to work with me on other options.
Rating:
Summary: Worth every cent - a keeper and a lender
Review: This is an excellent book written in a very easy to understand, supportive, hilarious way! The book is written in titled little paragraph "chunks" that you can easily follow. The book covers off her credentials, extensive research, pre-baby, surviving the first couple of days, first couple of weeks, nursing a toddler, and the weaning process. I've referred back to it often and loaned it out to friends who have then bought it for themselves and/or others. Not dry, judgmental, boring. I quite enjoyed it and would recommend it above any other breastfeeding book I've read.
|
