Customer Reviews

Breastfeeding and Catholic Motherhood: God's Plan for You and Your Baby

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If you are one of the many parents whose heart aches when you see child rearing books such as To Train Up a Child (see many negative reviews at Amazon), Sheila Kippley's
Breastfeeding and Catholic Motherhood is just what you need, even if you are not Catholic! It is the perfect antidote for books that advocate strict schedules and discipline for even tiny babies. If you have been troubled and confused by child rearing books that advocate, unbelievably,striking small babies, this book will be like a breath of fresh air. It is full of up-to-date,referenced scientific evidence for what you already know in your heart: gentle, responsive care of your baby through breastfeeding is good for your baby's physical as well as emotional health. Gentle, responsive care of babies is natural, good, and right.

If you are Catholic, the book integrates the health and emotional benefits of breastfeeding with a third dimension- the writings of leaders of the Catholic Church. It quotes popes, cardinals, bishops, and priests. For example, I was surprised to learn that the late John Paul II wrote repeatedly about breastfeeding, advocating it for its benefit to babies, mothers,
and society as a whole. Alphonse Cardinal Lopez Trujillo wrote the Foreword of the book. Mary Montessori,the famous childhood educator (and a Catholic), is quoted extensively in support of breastfeeding. Sheila Kippley herself, though very modest in her writing style, is a great Catholic laywoman in her own right. Along with her husband John Kippley, she is the
co-founder of the Couple to Couple League for Natural Family Planning. The mother of five grown children and several grandchildren, she combines her considerable research skills with her own experience as a gentle and loving mother in this, her latest book.

What if you have not breastfed in the past or are not breastfeeding your new baby right now? As an adoptive mother whose child (adopted as an infant and now age 7) was not breastfed at all, I think I can say that you will still appreciate the child-centered philosophy expressed in
this book, and you can apply the overall principles of being there for your child, holding your child, and meeting your child's need for YOU! And I think it is good to know that there may be some health issues to deal with that might not occur in a child who was breastfed, but knowledge is power (and good nutrition at every age is the answer to the health issues). In short, to quote one of the subtitles in the book: "Available, responsive, and sensitive." That's the kind of mother I want to
be, and reading this book is encouraging to me, even though my children are well past the breastfeeding stage!

This is such a clear, thoughtful, and well-written book. I would recommend this book to any Catholic mother who wants to breastfeed or reaffirm her position that breastfeeding is best for her and her children. She really makes a great argument for nursing your baby longer than a year, an idea I never would have considered before reading this book.

This book is an incredible reminder of all the truths of the gift of the vocation to motherhood that our culture has forgotten. Uplifting to any mother, it outlines the tremendous impact that the maternal-infant bond has on children, and how profound those commonly overlooked sacrifices of the mother really are in the lives of tomorrow's future leaders-- today's children. As mother of six, I have enjoyed reading it over and over again, especially during those times when my daily life seems tiring and monotonous.

Phenominal book that sheds so much light on the beauty of motherhood and the complete gift of self mothers can give thru nursing. The book is very challenging since giving nursing your child in the way described in the book requires complete dedication to your child. I think any honest and open person could not deny that this is the way God made it to be.

This book came to me when I was 20 weeks pregnant with my first baby and desperately uncertian of what I wanted to "be" as a mother. I wanted my baby to have the best of everything, but I wasn't sure what that meant. Now I know, without a doubt.

Sheila Kippley offers a very concise and convincing message to all mothers who want to truly enjoy their vocation as mothers. Our children grow up so fast and we moms need that encouragement to know that the time we spend with our children when they are small is invaluable not only to the family but to society.

I really appreciate having read this book and now feel more empowered as a soon-to-be-mom. It is sometimes difficult in our culture to find much support as a Catholic but then also wanting to practice exclusive breastfeeding and being open to a large family just compounds the misunderstandings sometimes. I think I will pick up this book each time I feel like I need reassurance...

I read the book in a few hours. I like so much to read about breastfeeding stories from the bible, also what the pope and religious people said about it.
I really liked a lot the fact that the author explains why, as a believer, breastfeeding should be our choice.
Really great book!

Through Sophia Institute Press I was sent this book for free in return for reviewing it. I am breastfeeding my 3rd child and knew many good things about breastfeeding. This book really put into words what I had already felt. It is good for their health, yes. It's good for my health, yes. It's good for as long as you do it....1 year, 2 years, or more! This book went into detail how the cathilic church embraces and encourages breastfeeding and incorporates scripture as well. This book makes anyone who breastfeeds proud, and it makes anyone who is pregnant have a stronger desire for and a better understanding of why breastfeeding is such a wonderful gift to children.

When I read this book, it was like scales fell from my eyes! It is truly enlightened by God, and within its great treasure chest, contains the gems and riches of His sovereign plan for motherhood. Its accompanying books, Breastfeeding and Natural Child Spacing, which comes in many different editions, is heartwarming. Many cultural deceptions are herein unveiled, and the authentic meaning, not to mention the almost mystical power, of maternal bonding through breastfeeding is revealed for all to enjoy -- that is, for those with an open heart. READ IT. Your children will ALL benefit...on earth, and perhaps eternally!