Customer Reviews

The Complete Book of Breastfeeding

5 star:		(37)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

When I first saw this book, I wondered how a book on breastfeeding could be so lengthy. However, this guide covers more than just the benefits of breastfeeding and feeding techniques. It is a logically written and informative guide to breastfeeding and how it relates to all the relevant aspects of post-partum family life--including getting baby to sleep, using a breast pump, returning to work, and weaning. I especially appreciated the section on trouble-shooting strategies. I attended a breastfeeding class and found that the information in this book was consistent with the information related by the lactation consultant. I also noticed that it corresponded with the information related in the American Academy of Pediatrics' book on Baby's First Year. Don't think that this book is merely a repeat of all the other information you will learn, however. The book is useful because it relates everything you need to know chronologically and in very specific terms. It is also a great reference when you want to quickly look up something about breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding is a big commitment, so if you've decided (or are considering) that you would like to make it a part of your baby's (and your family's) life, I recommend reading this book at the end of pregnancy and keeping it handy for your post-partum reference.

I bought every book I could find on this subject and found this one to have the most complete and helpful info. As added bonuses, it is compact and easy to hold while you have the baby with you (and fits nicely in your suitcase)and is a third of the price of other books.

Breastfeeding is supposed to be "the most natural thing in the world". Be that as it may, it is considered one of the most difficult maneuvers to attempt for many women (myself included), leaving them feeling inadequate and failures as Moms (which they shouldn't). "The Complete Guide to Breastfeeding" gives us information that can help make breastfeeding less of an enigma. Topics covered are:

*Will you, or won't you breastfeed (and the benefits of breastfeeding)
*Diet: What you should eat and drink
*Exercise: How much, how soon
*Care for your breasts
*Getting Enough Rest
*Drugs and the nursing mother
*How frequently should you nurse your baby?
*Your mental health
*Is the baby getting enough milk?
*The working nursing mother
*The Father's importance regarding breastfeeding
*Getting support for yourself
*Treating sore nipples
*Special situations
This book isn't for everyone. As a book on breastfeeding, it obviously is biased in the "breast is best" mantra. So, if you know you're planning to bottle feed, there's no need to pick up this book. If you have tried everything and nothing seems to work for you, take solace in the fact that most of us 70's kids were bottle fed, and we're just fine! This book is merely a good tool for answering common complaints, questions and worries dealing with nursing.

A friend lent me this book when I was pregnant and, now that I've had my baby, I've found it useful as a source of information but was a bit surprised by the hardline stance it takes on breastfeeding. There is no gray area -- I really felt like this book told me "you're either a good mother who breastfeeds or you're a bad one who supplements breast milk with formula, or formula-feeds completely".

While the authors give lots of real-life stories, they're all sort of "breastfeeding my baby is all hearts and flowers and by the way, it also brought about world peace". I would have appreciated a few accounts of frustrated moms as well, to give a more realistic slant to the book. Breastfeeding isn't a fulfilling, physically pleasurable experience for all of us -- this book made me think I was somehow failing because it is just not too comfortable for me.

There were some assertions in the book that were completely false in my case (e.g. "your nipple will not look distorted after feeding" [mine sure did, and I know the latch was correct], "if you're having problems in the beginning, don't use nipple shields" [I had to at first and bf is still working out fine for me], "don't under any circumstances let the hospital give your baby water or formula" [my doctor recommended some water on day 3 to clear out my baby's digestive tract and it doesn't seem to have caused him any physical or psychological trauma or "nipple confusion").

Anyhow, prospective buyers (and moms who may be having problems with breastfeeding) out there -- just be aware that there is a gray area with breastfeeding as with everything else. In the end, do what feels right to you, not what Eiger and Olds tell you that you must or must not do.

I was looking for a good breastfeeding book since the first time around I didnt read a lot about it and quit breastfeeding at 7 weeks. ... It's small in size, and cheap for the unvaluable information it provides. It provides tons of information from the history of breastfeeding, societal views on the issue, biology and anatomy of the breast and milk production, benefits to you and for your baby, comparisons between cow's and human milk, and the information is backed by research done all over the world. I was looking for a book that would not send judgemental messages to women who will prefer to bottle feed instead of breastfeed, and this is it. I didnt want to read something written by militant authors, and this is it.
I want to breastfeed longer this time around, therefore I am reading as much as I can on the subject (especially on topics such as how to solve breastfeeding problems), and this book so far has motivated me to start on the right track, and hopefully end on the right track.

I bought this book five years ago during my first pregnancy. Although I was already enthusiastic about breastfeeding, this book gave me scientific reasons for it, explaining in detail the physical and emotional/psychological benefits of it. It also discusses other aspects of breastfeeding such as techniques, how to overcome possible initial problems, helpful instruments (pumps)and a long etcetera. I have lent this book to a number of friends who were expecting and all have loved it and learned as much as much as I have. I thoroughly recommend it to all expectant mothers, particularly those who believe there is no difference between breastfeeding and bottle-feeding.

I am due to have my first child in two weeks and have decided that I would like to give breastfeeding a try. I attended a breastfeeding class which didn't answer all of the questions that I have about nursing and pumping and so on. I recently purchased this book and cannot believe the amount of useful information that it contains. Every question that I've had has been answered by reading this book from minor things like when to burp the baby to how long to store the expressed milk. I feel very relieved that I have this resource to revert to because as a first time mother...I have a lot of questions about nursing. I highly recommend this book.

This was the book I referred to the most when I was breastfeeding my daughter. I already knew that I wanted to breastfeed her, I didn't need persuading. What I needed was easy-to-find information and answers to my many questions. Nobody close to me had breastfed their children. I was a part of a breastfeeding group, but that only met once a week. In between, I consulted this book.

How to ensure that she is latching on correctly? Will this always hurt? What are the symptoms of thrush? What are some suggestions for increasing supply? What should I look for in a pump?

I consider my breastfeeding experience a positive one and I have this book to thank for that.

Stick with the breastfeeding, Moms! It took me over a month to get comfortable with it and for my nipples to toughen up. But it truly is one of the best things you can do for your child. The book is a very supportive and non-judgemental companion, even for mothers who decide to supplement with formula. I have a two children: one who breastfed for one year, one for seven months (the 2nd came off on her own and didn't want to go there again). Great tips on storage and a "life in the day of one working mother".
My only criticism is that it doesn't help you with birth control options at all! YOu are not safe from pregnancy by breastfeeding alone. I have an older copy, but there are pills containing norestherone (sp)(also ask your Dr. for advice) on the market that don't interefere with your milk supply.

I first used an earlier edition of this book and found it to be invaluable in helping me to nurse my first child. I had many questions and concerns and found this easy-to-read book extremely helpful and comprehensive. I am now ready to use the new edition and find it to be even more thorough and informative. I recommend it to all my friends and will have it by my bedside for the next several months to come.