The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding (La Leche League International Book)

Rating:
Summary: Helpful but dogmatic
Review: I found The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding to be a helpful source of nursing information. It covers all of the how-tos and what-ifs. However, I believe it elevates breastfeeding too highly; this book, and the La Leche League in general, seems to behave as if breastfeeding is crucial to being a good mother. That just isn't true. Yet, if you're looking for a good manual on nursing, here it is.

Rating:
Summary: A Must Read for All Moms-to-Be
Review: I had a much older edition of this book when I was pregnant with my first child almost 10 years ago and I read it and countless other pregnancy, breastfeeding and parenting books. I passed along the older version to a pregnant friend after the birth of my youngest in 2002; I thought I knew all I needed to know after successfully breastfeeding my first and continuing to breastfeed my youngest. Some recent problems led me to borrow the new 7th Revised Edition from a LLL meeting and I wish I had a newer edition before my second son was born. I learned so much about recent scientific discoveries about breastfeeding and the healthful properties of human milk. I could have avoided alot of heartbreak and anxiety in the hospital if I'd known all this and read it prior to his birth. The hospital was not very friendly to breastfeeding and if I had not already had the positive experience with my first son, I probably would have let them convince me of the need for bottles. As it was, we had a very difficult time in the first few weeks, which could have been avoided with the knowledge and information contained in this book. I urge you to read it, especially if you are considering nursing. And even if you plan to feed your baby formula, it may change your mind! And bring it with you to the hospital to use as a resource and to back up your requests to nurses to NOT give your baby sugar water, formula or a pacifier. The scientific information and references provided should give you all the support you need.

Rating:
Summary: answers when you need them
Review: I had problems with breastfeeding for the first 4 weeks. Just when I was at my wits end, everything just clicked and now we are doing great. This book really helped me through those weeks and I got the encouragement I needed. There are relatable stories and straight answers to questions you have about breastfeeding. I found this to be an invaluable resource!

Rating:
Summary: Good if things are going well...
Review: I have to agree with some of the reviews that I've read. This is a very informative and pro-breastfeeding book. I bought it when I was pregnant with my daughter and, having read it, felt very prepared to nurse her. However, we had nothing but challenges for the first 3 months. I found myself frequently turning to other sources for help and information. This book is a great resource for successful nursing relationships. But when I had to supplement with formula and introduce a bottle earlier than I wanted, this book made me feel as if we were in an unusual situation (now I know that many women have trouble nursing) and that I was somehow damaging my beautiful daughter by feeding her formula.

Rating:
Summary: Lots of Information but not what I craved
Review: My mom bought me this book b/c I wanted a BFing book. The first bunch of chapters were interesting but after that, I could have done without. I knew most of that information but maybe that was my fault. LLL did a good job with this book though. I read it for maybe 2 weeks and put it away. I wasn't quite what I was looking for. I didn't and don't know what it was I was looking for but I still wanted more information after having this book. Again, this is just my opinion. Good Luck!

Rating:
Summary: Buyer beware!
Review: This is a great book, and no mistake. I highly recommend it for anyone who has already given birth and has breastfeeding well established, to answer those occasional problems that crop up that are unique to breastfeeding. HOWEVER -- I will give you my story and you see what you think:

1) I bought this book while I was pregnant and after reading it became practically militantly opposed to anything except breastfeeding;

2) After giving birth via c-section, my baby was not brought to me until 6 hours after birth and he had a poor latch;

3) The hospital, like many, only had one lactation consultant on duty and she did not get to me until my nipples were already bleeding/scabbed over.

As a result, I had to bottlefeed my son formula because my nipples were so painful. Thus my milk supply decreased. So I called La Leche League for help and they made me feel like some sort of witch for "supplementing with formula." I still feel guilty, two months later.

I recommend you pick up this book in a book store and look it over before you buy it. It does had good advice, but can make a person who is having trouble with breastfeeding feel very guilty. My husband said even the title is demeaning, that since breastfeeding is a "Womanly Art" it gives the impression that a person who is unable to do it for one reason or another is somewhat less of a woman.

I know this won't be the most popular review of this book, but I did want to get this out there so no one else ends up feeling like a scorned woman when breastfeeding doesn't work for her.

Rating:
Summary: The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding (LaLeche League)
Review: This wonderful, factful book got me through the wee hours of the night when I thought nothing was going right. It gave truthful information rather than the fad stuff one hears from friends and Moms. The book helped making this part of child rearing a true joy. I am now giving a copy to my daughter to help her prepare for the care of my first grandchild.