The Breastfeeding Cafe: Mothers Share the Joys, Challenges, and Secrets of Nursing (Paperback)

~ (Author) "When I was pregnant with my first child, I read everything I could about pregnancy, labor, and childbirth and eagerly listened to any woman willing..." (more)
Key Phrases: other nursing mothers, nursing relationship, milk banks, United States, Balancing Act, New York (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

"This book should be a gift at every baby shower. Dr. Behrmann's wisdom, warmth, and information are heartwarming, reassuring, and practical."
---Christiane Northrup, M.D., author of Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom and The Wisdom of Menopause

"The Breastfeeding Cafe will become the book of choice for nursing mothers, and for anyone who wants to learn about the awesome experience of breastfeeding for mothers and their babies."
-Marilyn Yalom, author of History of the Breast and History of the Wife

"A fascinating mixture of storytelling and information, The Breastfeeding Café wisely and honestly explores the history, culture, and realities of breastfeeding. An inspiring, supportive, and influential book."
-Penny Simkin, co-author of Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Newborn: The Complete Guide

"Here at long last is a guided tour of women's actual experiences with breastfeeding. The Breastfeeding Café offers clinicians invaluable insights, and new mothers-whatever their backgrounds-will find in its pages their own place on the bell curve of the human experience that is breastfeeding."
-Diane Wiessinger, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant


This candid collection of real breastfeeding stories takes the reader on a fascinating journey through the full range of emotions and circumstances that make up the nursing experience.

Compelling, moving, and diverse, the stories in The Breastfeeding Café---from women all over the country---reveal the nursing relationship in all its complexity and seek to create a culture in which breastfeeding women are visible, accepted, and valued.

The Breastfeeding Café isn't a how-to manual on breastfeeding; instead, it offers a thoughtful forum for women to share their experiences with others. Approaching nursing as a feminist issue and one that is very important to child rearing, the book embraces the wide spectrum of women's experiences breastfeeding their children. Organized thematically and framed within a social and cultural context by a sociologist and former nursing mother of two, The Breastfeeding Café moves the subject of women nursing their children out from behind closed doors. A must-read for clinicians, breastfeeding consultants, and both new and expectant mothers who are curious about the nursing experience in all its variety.

Approved for use in La Leche League International Group Libraries.

Product Details

• Paperback: 328 pages
• Publisher: University of Michigan Press (February 21, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 047206875X
• ISBN-13: 978-0472068753
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #609,862 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a really good book, March 29, 2005

By	Sharyn - See all my reviews

I loved this book. It made me laugh and it made me cry. I didn't even think I wanted to read a book on breastfeeding, but I couldn't put it down once I started reading it. I will never regret the hours of breastfeeding that went into mothering my children and it makes me happy that Barbara Behrman is helping other moms make the decision to nurse their children.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The good, the bad, and the ugly of breastfeeding, July 25, 2005

By	M. Contreras Gernentz "Stephanie's mami" (Chesterfield, VA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is absolutely wonderful. I had to hug the author when I saw her at a conference, that's how good her book was! I mean, I've nursed my daughter for 5 years now, so what could I possibly learn from a breastfeeding book? Well, the answer was A LOT! The book gave me back some of what I wish we all had, a community where we can freely talk about nursing, about the good, the bad, and the ugly, and still feel 'normal'. It was great to see all the different experiences women have had with breastfeeding. The book made me laugh out loud, and it also made me cry several times. It's a great book both for the 'professional' or 'amateur' at breastfeeding. This is not like any of your other breastfeeding books, there's no `how to breastfeed' instructions here; instead you'll find all the different emotions that people experience while breastfeeding under different circumstances. While not a `technical' book it has bundles of factual information woven into the stories. Also, there are lots of references to online resources for various topics. Anyway, I can't say enough for this book. I really felt like I was sitting with my closest friends talking about our most private moments around breastfeeding. I don't get this much information, and certainly not so candidly, even from LLL or API meetings. Thank you so much Barbara!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A must read for all mothers, August 11, 2005

By	D. Pase (MD) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I really haven't been interested in reading since my son was born 16 months ago. But I couldn't put this one down! Although I would have liked to see more stories related to just getting through those first days at home with baby and to overcoming the obstacles to maintaining breastfeeding as you get into the second year (phases of distinterest, developmental distractions, teething, etc.). There were a few things that I found too weird, but to each his own. I think everyone will find a story they can relate to and feel more "normal" knowing they aren't the only one with that experience.