Customer Reviews

So That's What They're For!: Breastfeeding Basics

5 star:		(114)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(11)

 

 

What sets this apart from other breastfeeding books is

1. It has a readable, friendly presentation.

2. It combines solid information with emotional support (lighthearted, not sappy). There's more to breastfeeding (to DOING it) than you think, and it's explained here.

3. It's short enough not to overwhelm. You're too busy/tired to read encyclopedias.

4. It imparts technical facts AND practical advice from people who've been there.

My complaints with the book are outweighed by the good things I got out of it, but here they are:

1. Occasionally I picked up a hint of near bashing of non-breastfeeders, as in "Breastfeeding represents a style of parenting: Right off the bat you're willing to adjust your life to your baby's and give a lot of love. You might save your child a lot of time and money he'd have spent in therapy" (p. 28). Not only is this statement silly and of questionable purpose, it's a backwards argument. You don't breastfeed to prove you have a certain parenting style. You start with the style, and then you breastfeed. Tamaro seems to be arguing that you should breastfeed because it will mean you have a good parenting style. I consider this complaint minor because the rest of the book doesn't carry this tone.

2. Too little info about sources of some claims. "Did you know a study in Sweden showed that...?" is insufficient. "Breastfed babies have better eyesight" (p. 29) is insufficient. I want a few details and a citation . I know I said above I was glad this book is NOT an encyclopedia, but I'm talking about the addition of just a few words here. Overall, though, the book seems credible. Can't argue with the personal-experience bits.

3. The fact that the ingredients in baby formula have long gibberish-like names does NOT imply they're bad. The chemical name for ANYTHING can sound bad. And on the flip side: the fact that something's natural does not alone imply that it's good for you. There are natural poisons. So get rid of the part about the ucky-sounding ingredients in formula and "is THAT what you want to feed your baby?" I agree that formula is inferior to breast milk. But the names of the ingredients have nothing to do with it.

Conclusion: I strongly recommend this book to anyone considering breastfeeding and to anyone who's already started. You can read it quickly even while you're tired and you'll learn some things. You may want to read some others too, but start with this one.

I bought this book five years ago when I was pregnant with my first child. I did not want to breastfeed. I didn't know a single soul who had breastfed. I thought breastfeeding was pretty weird and gross and had already told my husband I was going to bottlefeed. After I read a lot of information on the benefits of breastfeeding in several different magazines and pregnancy/childbirth books, I decided I better look into it a little more. I bought this book simply because I liked the title, and I have been SO extremely grateful ever since.

This book is very non-threatening and completely NOT militant! I'm surprised by the reviews I see here saying otherwise - the author was so laid back and respectful, that it actually allowed me to open my mind to the possibility of breastfeeding. If she had been some kind of militant breastfeeding person, I never would have read more than the first few pages - however, I found a funny, sincere author who tried to fairly present breastfeeding [both the advantages and the (often humorous) disadvantages]. I thought she was brilliant.

This book is a very "basic" breastfeeding book. It doesn't have all the level of detail of some other books [like "The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding" by La Leche League - a book that has EVERYTHING you'd ever need to know, but is definitely [obviously!] biased towards breastfeeding]. I think this book is a great basic guide for new mothers and a WONDERFUL place to start if you are just considering breastfeeding or trying to make that decision.

Incidentally, I did end up nursing my first child successfully, mainly due to this book. My original goal was to breastfeed for 3 months, but it went so well that I ended up nursing her for a whole year! I also used this book when I got pregnant with my second child and nursed him for a year too. Now I am re-reading it while pregnant with my third baby and I am STILL enjoying it! This is money well spent in my opinion!

I'm keeping myself anonymous because I am a physician who shouldn't have needed this book. But deciding to breastfeed was a real struggle for me because it wasn't something that I grew up with--no one that I knew growing up nursed their babies and it was considered to be a dirty thing. Once I got into med school and understood all the benefits I knew that I had to nurse my future children but psychologically the idea of it repulsed me. When I finally got pregnant and started reading the standard books they didn't tell me anything that I didn't already know. What I needed I found in this book. It is funny, practical and by the end of the first chapter I was inspired and excited about the challenges of nursing. I couldn't put this book down and I swear that it made all the difference for my perception of breastfeeding. My mother undermined my dedication to nursing every step of the way and while she didn't mean to be hurtful I couldn't have dealt with it as smoothly as I did if I hadn't read this book. I still almost never nursed in public and am so happy for the women who do. One of the other reviews said to read this only if you were dedicated to nursing and I feel exactly the opposite--This book convinced me when I was wavering because of my ingrained bias against it.

I'm a firm believer in preventing problems before they start, and Janet Tamaro's book will do just that. She discusses *why* you should breastfeed, or at least "try it" even if you think it's "not for you" (it doesn't have to be; it's for your baby), and how and why to avoid situations that can cause breastfeeding problems such as drugs in delivery, bottles by the nurses, infant/mother separation. Maybe it will make some people realise that those of us who advocate those things aren't martyrs, but are realists. Proper latch-on and positioning are well explained, as are the realities of living with a tiny newborn. (Scary sometimes for first time moms, but it doesnt' have to be.) "So that's what they're for" should be available in every bookstore instead of dry, condenscending books such as the "what to expect" series. Read this and you won't need the any other books on early babyhood because you'll be well on your way to being tuned into your baby and your body. It's a pretty fast read but good for a second or third trip through. --

This is, by far, the funniest, most clever book on breastfeeding I have ever read! Mothers have been inundated with cliches about the "joy of nursing" -- but this book takes a lighthearted look at the nursing relationship, along with providing concise, informative, accurate advice on breastfeeding. Baby books and "manuals" are fine for practical advice on fevers, toys, baths, etc. -- but few offer accurate or thorough information on breastfeeding. I would give this book to any woman who plans to nurse her baby. "So that's what they're for" also addresses attachment parenting (with regards to nighttime nursing and family bed), an approach to parenting that is often regarded, by its critics, as "spoiling" children. However, the author's casual, "follow-your-instincts" attitude is a welcome change from the rigid, preachy methods and systems of popular baby books. Breastfeeding is taken way too seriously in this country: this book is the ultimate answer to that problem! Kudos and thank you, Ms. Tamaro!!!

As an expectant mom with NO knowledge of breastfeeding, I needed a resource that would get me comfortable with it and get me started with everything I need to know. I got about 5 different books from the library, and this was the only one I read cover to cover. It's now on my registry and wish list for some kind soul to buy for me.

The lighthearted approach makes for easy, enjoyable reading. It was a joy to spend time with this book, rather than a chore. In fact, I think my husband will even enjoy it!

The information is top-notch, and very motivational. If I ever doubt the value of breastfeeding, all I have to do is re-read Section 1. It gives the real story behind formula and the formula companies. It convinced me once and for all that breastmilk is what babies should eat.

The practical suggestions and solutions will be very welcome once the kidlet comes along. The book is divided so once you hae your baby, all the info you need for that stage is in one spot... no hunting around in the index or table of contents.

So in short, BUY this book, and get the others from the library.

After I had breastfed my youngest daughter for 2 months, I had to go back to work. I wanted to give up and put her on formula. But my husband had read all the stuff I brought home about how good breastfeeding is for babies and wouldn't let me quit. Instead, he found this book in a bookstore for me and made me read it. Sure it's funny, but it is also filled with easy to read and understand information that can get you through whatever problems you might have. The author is a working mother whose stories and ideas really helped me figure out how to balance work and breastfeeding. Her book even gave me some ideas on how to manage my boss! Anyway, it worked for me, and I was able to breastfeed Savannah till she was 20 months. I am buying a copy for my sister now.

It seems as though the reviewing community here is divided: people either love this book or they hate it. I'm finding that most of the negative comments deride this book in roughly three categories: 1) It's tone is "preachy" and "biased toward breastfeeding." 2) Its claims relying on research are not substaniated. 3) People had bought this book with certain hopes and expectations that were not met when they read it.

Having read and re-read this book myself over the course of nursing my two little ones, I must respond: 1) I agree that the tone may not appeal to everyone. Some may indeed need a more compassionate voice. But she's a HUMORIST. It's fine to not like the author's sense of humor. But if you feel "preached at" by this book, you are probably missing the point that many of her comments are tongue in cheek and written with an intentional tone that I, personally, found far more engaging than anything in "The Womanly Art..." book. Perhaps you need a particular sense of humor to find this book helpful. And of course she's biased - that's why she wrote the book! If that's not what you need, fine, but that doesn't negate the value of the book for others. 2) The author includes 11 pages of research and source references from everyone from the American Academy of Pediatrics to numerous journals and papers. 3) Giving this book a negative rating because it didn't meet some preconceived expectations YOU had before you bought the book is completely unfair. A rating should be given based on the book as it stands on its own merit...not because it wasn't what you had hoped to find when you bought it.

I cannot say enough about this book! After one failed attempt at breastfeeding, I was feeling very insecure while awaiting the birth of our second child. With our first child I just assumed that breastfeeding was an instinct. WRONG! I knew I needed education. THIS BOOK IS PERFECT! This book covers everything you ever needed to know about breastfeeding from how milk is produced to latching on to extended breastfeeding to how to politely tell your mother that no, formula is NOT better. :) Yes, this book is pro-breastfeeding. And why not? Everyone knows that breastmilk is the best for baby! This book is hysterical, written in a "girlfiend to girlfriend" style with LOTS of laughs. I purchase this book for every pregnant woman I know. To date I have bought seven and I am going to buy another one today for yet another pregnant friend. BUY THIS BOOK NOW! You won't regret it!

After reading another book that is supposed to be the "authority" on breastfeeding, I was so relieved to read THIS book! Where the other book made me feel like I shouldn't even bother breastfeeding if I wasn't going to confine myself to my home, this book dealt with reality--for SAHMs AND working moms.

Unlike another reviewer, I really didn't find any of the non-breastfeeder bashing... but then I had the previous book to get over--and that one REALLY ran you through the mill if you considered doing anything other than staying home to feed your child.

This book gave you information that really helps dealing with reality. After all, some of us have no choice but to work. And even if you stay home--how do you deal with life situations (like death in the family) that throw you and baby off course? They will tell you what to be prepared for in backlash if your schedules get thrown off or you need to pump for baby--but in a way that instructs you on getting through it. Not in a way that scorns you for it like other books might.

I found the tone of this book to be overall supportive of mothers in a variety of situations; and the information was so detailed. Sometimes they didn't give you every last detail, but let you know that something existed (specifically with positions--of which I only had read about 3 in the "authority" book, and this one described 4-5 and named several others for you to investigate on your own if need-be). They also dove right into the information without wasting your time on "the joys of motherhood" in general (which I find hard to imagine anyone trying to convey through the written word! Especially when they take up multiple chapters to do so!). This book is to the point and complete!!