Permission to Mother: Going Beyond the Standard-of-Care to Nurture Our Children [Paperback]

Denise Punger (Author), Bernadette Clark (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 29, 2008

Why do you need Permission to Mother? The "Standard-of-Care" is a legal term, the level at which the average, prudent provider in a given community would practice. It is how similarly qualified practitioners would manage a patient's care under the same or similar circumstances. Sadly enough, the standard-of-care legally protects only the provider (the physician or hospital) and is not necessarily in the best emotional, physical, or spiritual interest of the consumer (the patient). Dr. Punger's personal experience brought this to her attention. She has experienced a doula-attended hospital birth without intervention, working while tandem nursing, tandem nursing beyond the toddler years, and perhaps most dramatically, a footling breech birth at home Included are other women's experience's that go beyond the status quo. All stories have one feature in common: Dr. Punger goes beyond the medical standard-of-care that too often imposes on a women's right to mother to the fullest. Through her warm, attachment feel stories about her own mothering journey and the inspiring women she is in close contact with, Dr. Punger gives you permission, to birth just the way you want to and to breastfeed for how long you (and your baby) want to Go to the website at: twofloridadocs.com What is there that is new that can be said about breastfeeding "Denise Punger surprised me and there is alot that is new for me. It is so personal a document. I am fascinated by some of the things she says. I particularly like the reasons for bedsharing... The "safe " way, the way we approach breastfeeding, is not really the safe way. (It) robs many women of the extraordinary experience that breastfeeding can be, and the pleasure it usually gives to both the baby and the mother... Denise's book shows what can be done if we give breastfeeding a chance; the issue is finding the right approach for the baby (and mother)instead of a one size fits all approach that is to often the usual way." Jack Newman, MD, author of The Ultimate Breastfeeding Book of Answers

Editorial Reviews

Review

Information mothers need to consider prior to delivery. Insight to aid the medical professional to undertand today's mothering movement. -- John Coquelet D.O., October, 1, 2007

My daughter will be healthier because of Dr. Punger. -- Shannon Miller, October 1, 2007

Shows what can be done if we give breastfeeding a chance. I am fascinating by the things she says. -- Jack Newman MD, author of the Ultimate Breastfeeding Book of Answer, October 1, 2007

Your book is going to be on my shelf and on the shelves of many others! -- Juia Swart, LM, CPM, October 1, 2007

Your work is such a contribution to all of us! -- Regina Sarah Ryan, author of Breastfeeeding: Your Priceless Gift to Yourself and Your Baby, October 1, 2007

About the Author

I have only positive things to say about Permission to Mother, an autobiographical account of a thoughtful mother and clinician who courageously writes from her heart, soul, brain, and personal experience; who is open to change in her views and opinions and is not guided by the safety of rules of any group or the status quo; she is guided by love and openness to the experiences life brings her and her family. Her process benefits her and those around her and those who read her words. And to add to that, the writing style and story telling ability here make it a very enjoyable read speckled with both the humor and seriousness of life. ~Laura Keegan RN FNP, author of Breastfeeding with Comfort and Joy

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Product Details

• Paperback: 258 pages
• Publisher: Outskirts Press (January 29, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1432703854
• ISBN-13: 978-1432703851
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 6.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (73 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #754,229 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Heart of the Home, February 6, 2008

By 

Bernadette Clark "RN" (Port St. Lucie, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Permission to Mother: Going Beyond the Standard-of-Care to Nurture Our Children (Paperback)

The classic you are about to read will take you along Dr. Punger's personal journey from medical school training to home-centered parenting. Dr. Punger skillfully weaves her subjective experience as a mother with her clinical expertise as a family physician and international board certified lactation consultant. She examines birth and its outcomes in various elements, hospital and home, with and without professional doula support. Breastfeeding from the first moments of life to beyond the typical weaning years is chronicled together with the joys and difficulties women encounter personally and socially in feeding their young. Dr. Punger has a way with putting life into words we can all relate to. She has amassed information covering a large, but very related set of mothering topics. If I could only put her words of wisdom in a nutshell and pour it into the hearts and minds of each of my "mothers," this world would be a better place.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The BREAST book ever!!!, February 8, 2008

By 

Shannon Miller "Shannon & Katie" (Clifton, VA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Permission to Mother: Going Beyond the Standard-of-Care to Nurture Our Children (Paperback)

My daughter will be a much healthier because of Dr. Punger. I felt the connection with her the first time I went to her practice for my breast feeding issues. Little did I know that I would continue going to her family practice for my daughter and myself.

I am so proud of Dr. Punger and her book because it will give so many people a different perspective on nurishing children the way nature intented. This book will convey the same kind of philosophy that you will receive in her clinic.

There are so many examples in this book of what may seem like a the impossible but there is always a way to perserve nurturing at the breast. This book is not just for women or just mothers. Fathers and health care providers will learn that there are no excuses to not breastfeed. All barriers can be overcome.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not your typical self-help book, July 30, 2008

By 

Danielle Sullivan (Port St. Lucie, FL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Permission to Mother: Going Beyond the Standard-of-Care to Nurture Our Children (Paperback)

As a new mother, I read scores of parenting and breastfeeding books. They all had the same information regarding breastfeeding - most all of it unhelpful and outdated, as well as very hard to read (with a newborn in tow).

Dr. Punger's book was the first book that actually made sense and gave real-world, practical advice. Her book was written with her real-life stories and it draws you in as a reader. She cleverly intertwines her expert advice amoung touching personal stories and you forget you're reading a "self-help" book. She teaches you to trust your instincts and to stop comparing your baby to the medical "norm".

I keep this book right next to my favorite spot to nurse.