Rating: 
Summary: Informative but Disappointing
Review: An important book about the politics, corruption and development of artificial feeding, and its fatal (and often lethal) shortcomings compared to exclusive breastfeeding. While I would recommend this book to anyone even contemplating children, I can't help but be disappointed with it at the same time. A subject of so much importance deserves a work (perhaps two or three very different books) of greater clarity, focus and substance.
Rating: 
Summary: Another great Baumslag contribution to babes and moms alike!
Review: Baumslag has done an excellent job again to help promote the ways and whys of breastfeeding, to help health professionals, potential breastfeeders, and, most importantly, the little ones who stand to benefit most.
Rating:
Summary: A must to help encourage breastfeeding.
Review: Dr. Baumslag took a historical approach towards
the subject of breastfeeding. It was very
interesting to find out about other cultures'
approaches to something so natural as
breastfeeding when the American culture has
diminished it to being one of two possible
infant foods.
I had gone to the public library to find books on
breastfeeding and had found only two in their
catalog. Thankfully, this was one of them! I
checked the book out twice and now plan to
purchase a copy to help encourage my daughter
to breastfeed when she has children.
Rating:
Summary: A must read for any one who is concerned for the welfare of
Review: I read this book before I gave birth to my first child. (I am the mother of four.)It made such an impact on me that I have been a breastfeeding advocate ever since. This book covers cross cultural aspects of breastfeeding. Beware that this book has the possibility to make a mother feel very guilty for not breastfeeding. It gives a mother infinite reasons of why human milk is what every infant is entitled to consume. I have used this book as a reference to many research projects from formula study to mother - infant bonding. Fathers should be encouraged to read this book. No man should question a mother's right to breastfeed after he reads the views put forth in this masterpiece. I agree with other reviewers that all teenagers should read this book. Future generations would benefit from current generations reading this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Provides an understanding why breastfeeding is an issue.
Review: It is an irony that this book needed to be written. It wasn't that long ago that breastfeeding was as much a part of the maternal experience as pregnancy. Now, many American mothers think twice about it ... and decide not to bother. There are many wonderful books instructing women "how" to brestfeed, but information on "why" to is scarce. This books provides the big picture about breastfeeding, explaining its history, culture, biology and politics. It is an important book to help women understand the miracle substance they are capable of producing and to respect the magnificence of their bodies
Rating:
Summary: Essential for expecting mothers (and fathers)
Review: Once elegantly dubbed "...intimate to the degree of being sacred" by the US government, in practice, breastfeeding is not regarded as highly by underdeveloped nations nor is it really held as sacred by developed countries. Thus, this book is certainly a timely essay on breastfeeding practices around the world. But Baumslag and Michels really aimed at setting the record straight for normal infant nutrition; they analyze the cultural practices surrounding natural, and hence normal, feeding in infants and bravely expose the lucrative business of artificial, and hence abnormal, infant nutrition. They also explain in great detail the almost miracle properties of human milk, as opposed to artificial formulae, and how it protects children far beyond infancy in ways no health insurance can. Unfortunately, they avoid discussing practical issues, such as the means to enhance milk production or even breastfeeding techniques. Neither pharmacologic galactogogues, such as metoclopramide, nor the scientific basis for their proper use, are discussed in any detail. Furthermore, the obvious lack of pharmaceutical support and funding for studies in the field of galactogogues (which would be an area of fruitful research, by the way) is not dealt with in this book. The fact remains that, even now, with less than 50% of all new mothers attempting exclusive breast-feeding, and with less than 20% of them maintaining it for four months in a row, there is still a lot to be learned in the fields of psychology, sociology, endocrinology and even economics to explain these disappointing statistics. All things considered, this book is a serious step in the right direction.
Rating:
Summary: You'll never think about formula the same way again
Review: Provocative, infuriating, incredible...a compelling mix of economics, international relations, political maneuvering, and class issues, along with histories of American business, culture and family, public health, obstetrics, and child-rearing trends. Absorbing, memorable, and well-documented. Must read for women, parents, health workers, youth workers, students of international business, and anyone who crafts health policy.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent information....all expectant parents should read
Review: This book explains the WHO Code in detail and how American companies are ignoring it; it also explains the Nestle Boycott (which my family is a part of!). It's not just all emotion....the authors have facts and figures and references. The historical content was so interesting to me. In a perfect world, all mothers would breastfeed their children; this isn't a perfect world by any means. If, however, those who are against breastfeeding (for whatever reason), would read this book, perhaps they would see things differently. And yes, there are mothers who can not breastfeed, no matter how hard they work at it, no matter how much support they have...I'm not against artificial baby milk: I'm against the way it's marketed and the way the companies undermine a new mother's attitude - by supplying her with formula as she leaves the hospital - in a "Breastfeeding Success" diaper bag! Honestly, I received one of these after having my son. What kind of message is that for a new mother - and why are we allowing this to happen in the USA after agreeing to adhere to the code? Everyone ought to educate themselves - especially expectant parents, fathers included!!! The WHO Code is an important agreement and we should all be aware of it. This book is perfect reading - loaded with information.
Rating:
Summary: Necessary reading for all females before age 16
Review: This book is a necessary text that encompasses political, sociological and physiological considerations for females who aspire to healthy mothering. Easy to read, sensible, and thorough.
Rating:
Summary: Wow! This should be required reading in high school!
Review: This book is an intelligent, thought provoking look at the way our culture has methodically turned it's back on one of the most basic acts of nurturing our children. I don't see how anyone who reads this book could look at those seemingly innocent formula ads the same way again. It's easy to read and well documented and has lots of fascinating pictures and diagrams. I'm going to include it on my list of books to give to expecting parents.
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