So That's What They're For!: The Definitive Breastfeeding Guide 3rd edition [Paperback]

Janet Tamaro (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2005

From this bestselling author comes the third edition of So That's What They're For! For years, moms have relied on this staple book - now infused with new sections, including breastfeeding multiples and monitoring nutrition, and featuring completely revised and updated resource materials. Reflecting the latest in breastfeeding research, and packed with humorous anecdotes, this book proves (again) that breastfeeding advice does not have to be boring.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Janet Tamaro is a certified lactation educator who frequently participates in online chats and other forum discussions about breastfeeding. She is an active television correspondent, reporter, and writer.

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Adams Media; 3 edition (May 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 159337285X
• ISBN-13: 978-1593372859
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (77 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #69,665 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This helped me succeed where I'd failed before ..., January 18, 2006

By 

Heidi A. Dugan "alleghator" (Millville, NJ United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: So That's What They're For!: The Definitive Breastfeeding Guide 3rd edition (Paperback)

I am one of those working mothers facing a highly anti-breastfeeding boss and environment following my first pregnancy. I lived several hours from my nearest female relative and was loathe to ask strangers for advice. I didn't know that what just seemed like an awkward starting phase in the first days and weeks of breastfeeding my daughter, was really the beginning of the end to our breastfeeding relationship. I didn't know anything was really wrong, and if I had, I wouldn't have known how to fix it.

So, I bought this book during my second pregnancy. I'd since moved even further from my close female relatives but really wanted to make breastfeeding work this time around. I remember all-too-vividly my daughter crying from hunger after I'd nursed her inadequately, the cost of formula, the stains and odors which accompanied formula-feeding. I wanted to breastfeed my son, and get it right.

(I want to interject here that I'm not forcing my decision on anyone else. I'm not some sort of militant wacko with an agenda of breastfeeding for everyone, everywhere. I nursed my song for 12-1/2 months at which point we were both ready to give it up.)

Anyway, this book made a HUGE difference. I learned what the difference was between discomfort and pain. I learned what a good "latch-on" was supposed to be like. I learned that other women had to work to make breastfeeding successful, too.

I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in breastfeeding her baby. If you're not interested in breastfeeding, you shouldn't be reading this book. It will teach you how to breastfeed successfully. But, make the decision first, then get advice on how to do it well.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A good start, light-hearted approach - Add'l Reads Listed..., September 9, 2005

By 

A. Steele "Breastfeeding Guru" (Ashland, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: So That's What They're For!: The Definitive Breastfeeding Guide 3rd edition (Paperback)

This book offers a light-hearted fun spirted approach to breastfeeding--something that we can all use... but it doesn't quite go far enough to answer all the questions a new mom will have when it comes to breastfeeding. As a mom who has nursed three babies to date--all for over a year--here are some additional books I recommend, as well as some places where you can get support from real moms:

The Nursing Mother's Companion
The Breastfeeding Answer Book
The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding
Working Mother, Nursing Mother

There is a website called kellymom that is also good for searching about breastfeeding information...I highly recommend it.

Two yahoogroups you can search for are breastfeeding and pumpmoms, go to the site and do a search... both provide invaluable advice from moms who have "been there, done that."

The books mentioned are really much better resources for problem solving and understanding how breastfeeding works...how to do it...what to do if you have problems. (And many of us do...and we can get beyond them... and it's very rare for a woman to have a problem that can't be fixed.)

I hope this list helps you find some additional options. This really is a nice book--it just stops short of being completely useful. It is worth reading, and is very enjoyable. It's just not a book for solving problems. :)

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Funny, without the guilt, but few specifics, September 17, 2005

By 

Nic (Verona, WI USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: So That's What They're For!: The Definitive Breastfeeding Guide 3rd edition (Paperback)

I really liked this book, mostly because the other breastfeeding or parenting books I had made me feel completely inadequate abotu breastfeeding. Am I doing it correctly? Am I doing it often enough? How is my technique? etc. etc. This book is realistic in its approach, and the author shares a lot of funny personal stories which made me feel more normal. I read most of the book while breastfeeding and it took me a week to finish - it goes fast. The one down side is there isn't a lot of specifics should you run into problems...particularly medical problems, just a brief statement like, "see your doctor... and I'm sorry." (I remember this quote from when she was talking about galactosemia in the infant. I remember thinking how dissappointing that would be to an affected mother who read that.) Also, she cites some interesting websites in the back - but a lot are Canadian, so you can spend extra $$ in shipping. This would be a good book for a mother to be who isn't sure if she can hack breastfeeding - it gives a much needed pep talk without being overbearing or dogmatic.