Customer Reviews

The Breastfeeding Cafe: Mothers Share the Joys, Challenges, and Secrets of Nursing

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I loved this book. It made me laugh and it made me cry. I didn't even think I wanted to read a book on breastfeeding, but I couldn't put it down once I started reading it. I will never regret the hours of breastfeeding that went into mothering my children and it makes me happy that Barbara Behrman is helping other moms make the decision to nurse their children.

This book is absolutely wonderful. I had to hug the author when I saw her at a conference, that's how good her book was! I mean, I've nursed my daughter for 5 years now, so what could I possibly learn from a breastfeeding book? Well, the answer was A LOT! The book gave me back some of what I wish we all had, a community where we can freely talk about nursing, about the good, the bad, and the ugly, and still feel 'normal'. It was great to see all the different experiences women have had with breastfeeding. The book made me laugh out loud, and it also made me cry several times. It's a great book both for the 'professional' or 'amateur' at breastfeeding. This is not like any of your other breastfeeding books, there's no `how to breastfeed' instructions here; instead you'll find all the different emotions that people experience while breastfeeding under different circumstances. While not a `technical' book it has bundles of factual information woven into the stories. Also, there are lots of references to online resources for various topics. Anyway, I can't say enough for this book. I really felt like I was sitting with my closest friends talking about our most private moments around breastfeeding. I don't get this much information, and certainly not so candidly, even from LLL or API meetings. Thank you so much Barbara!

I really haven't been interested in reading since my son was born 16 months ago. But I couldn't put this one down! Although I would have liked to see more stories related to just getting through those first days at home with baby and to overcoming the obstacles to maintaining breastfeeding as you get into the second year (phases of distinterest, developmental distractions, teething, etc.). There were a few things that I found too weird, but to each his own. I think everyone will find a story they can relate to and feel more "normal" knowing they aren't the only one with that experience.

This is just a wonderful book. Most pregnancy and infant care books describe breastfeeding as a simple either/or. They have the "breast is best" chapter followed by the "here's how to bottle-feed" chapter. We talk about each one as a series of pros and cons. What's missing is what nursing means to my relationship with my daughter. Whether we nurse or not, and how long we nurse, are decisions that shape our whole family's experience. Yet breastfeeding is not something I talked about at work or at parties or even in playgroup. This book made me realize that breastfeeding is a hugely important part of the mothering relationship and that we need to recognize it in our culture.

When I was pregnant all I heard were the breastfeeding horror stories of sore nipples, engorgement and toddlers who bite. I decided to nurse despite the stories, but certainly not because of them! Breastfeeding is much more than the horror stories, and I'm so glad there is now a book showing all the different ways that each mother experiences it and how it changes over time. I could relate in some way to nearly every story. It's just a beautiful book.

I only wish I had this book before I became a mom! It would have truly prepared me for the breastfeeding experience in an emotional way. All of the other books I have explained the technicalities of breastfeeding in the 'how-to' manner, but this book really helps you to understand the different experiences women go through when breastfeeding. It made me feel that I wasn't alone in my difficulties or the breastfeeding process. Through the publishing of this book Barbara Behrmann has created an incredible support group for all breastfeeding women. I recommend it to anyone who is planning to, is currently, or has breastfed - you will connect with the many women who have told their incredible stories. I bought one as a gift for a baby shower and the pregnant mom was so excited -- she feels she has a better understanding of the breastfeeding process now and is eager to begin!

The Breastfeeding Cafe is perfect -- just like breastmilk! It contains all the essentials, including an intangible nurturing essence. This hearty smorgasbord of women's stories will nourish breastfeeding mothers just like breastmilk nourishes their babies. It will also fulfill lactation and childbirth professionals, as well as feminists.

Some people would call The Breastfeeding Cafe a scholarly work; others would call it a collection of intimate personal stories. Both descriptions would be accurate. Behrmann combines extensive research in the fields of medicine, sociology, history, and anthropology with anecdotal evidence cultivated from interviews with an amazingly diverse group of women. The result is a fascinating survey of breastfeeding in America today, and an in-depth examination of the ways in which breastfeeding is valued -- and devalued -- in our culture.

Mothers from all walks of life very openly share their experiences as breastfeeding women. Behrmann interviews mothers who planned their pregnancies and mothers who did not, mothers who gave birth in a hospital and mothers who gave birth at home, mothers of twins, mothers who are lesbians, mothers who are teenagers, mothers who have had breast implants, mothers who are employed in the corporate world, mothers who serve in the army, mothers who are college students, mothers who work minimum wage jobs, mothers who are immigrants, mothers who are highly educated, mothers who are former gang members, mothers of premature infants, mothers of babies who did not survive, mothers who have given their babies up for adoption.... Breastfeeding mothers are sure to see their own experiences reflected somewhere in these pages. Other women will get an accurate picture of the range of challenges and rewards involved in breastfeeding.

The focus is on exploring the physical, emotional, and cultural challenges and hardships that women have encountered as breastfeeding mothers; however, the overall message of The Breastfeeding Cafe is uplifting and encouraging. Behrmann's insights inspire hope for the future of women and babies, and for a cultural that is more supportive of breastfeeding and mothering.

If The Breastfeeding Cafe were a restaurant, its master chef Barbara Behrmann would receive rave reviews for her varied menu, her socially conscious approach, her tantalizingly original recipes, and her fulfilling portions.

I am a doula, chilbirth educator and mom of four. I absolutely loved the book. I thought that Ms. Behrmann covered so many great issues involved with breastfeeding. What was very refreshing to me was that she not only covered the "typical" topics, but also covered some of the issues that most people don't discuss. The book was highly motivating to me for continuing to breastfeed through challenges and to seek help when problems are encountered. As a doula, I give all of my clients and pregnant friends a copy of this book as their pre or postpartum gift. It very well may be the best book on breastfeeding they receive.

This book is like having hundreds of friends to tell you what breastfeeding is really like. Barbara Behrmann has effectively captured the variety and depth of the breastfeeding experience by re-telling women's stories. While the book is not a substitute for detailed problem-solving advice, there is a lot of basic information about how breastfeeding works woven into the stories women told. Sidebars in the text quickly link the reader to other resources. I recommend this book to women who want to nurse their babies, want to hear other women's experiences and/or haven't found much of a support system yet.

This book is amazing! Lots of mothers with many different breastfeeding experiences share their stories...and I cried through many of them because they were so touching. When you feel like no one understands why you are so glad to be breastfeeding your baby, this is the book to have. It's very inspiring to hear what some mothers go through to establish and maintain a breastfeeding relationship and it's encouraging that even after difficulties, they're glad they stuck with it. Wonderful book!!

I happened apon this book while reading flyers at the Library. Some ladies were getting together once a month at a local coffee shop and creating a support group "based on The Breastfeeding Cafe Book" I found the book to check out and was pleastly surprised!!
This book is filled with wonderful, inspiring, thoughtful stories that women from ALL walks of life have contributed to.
I was dealing with a second round of mastitis while I had this book and it became a comfort to me when my baby and I would be waking from a nap to nurse and read a few stories and fall back to sleep. It felt as though my mid wife or girl friends were hanging out with me.
I truely recommend this to every mom first time breastfeeing or nursing your fourth child. It makes a wonderful gift for a new mother or someone that you think may not have a whole lot of support to continue if they ever feel discouraged.