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

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: artificial baby milk, areola tissue, pumped breastmilk, Lactation Institute, Sandra Jansen, Chele Marmet (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

From bestselling author Janet Tamaro 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!

About the Author

Janet Tamaro is a certified lactation educator who frequently participates in online chats and other forum discussions about breastfeeding. She is a television correspondent, reporter, and writer who worked for ABC News, Fox, and KingWorld Productions.

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Adams Media; 3 edition (May 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 159337285X
• ISBN-13: 978-1593372859
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (61 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #36,146 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #12 in	Books > Parenting & Families > Parenting > Babies & Toddlers > Breastfeeding
  #17 in	Books > Health, Mind & Body > Diets & Weight Loss > Special Conditions > Pregnancy

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 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 (REAL NAME)

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.

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

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.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Quite possibly the best breastfeeding resource for laymoms!, May 18, 2005

By	C. Holland-Radvon (Bangor, PA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I read an earlier edition of this book when I was pregnant with my son - when I was still convinced that breastfeeding was something I would "try". What an eye-opener! This book not only convinced me to dedicate my and my baby's first months to breastfeeding, but that it would make my life easier. And it did!

Updated review: I would change my rating to 4 stars now...

I gave a 4 star rating only because the subtitle "The Definitive Breastfeeding Guide 3rd edition" is a little misleading. This isn't a definitive guide. If you want definitive, buy yourself a copy of "The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding: Seventh Revised Edition (La Leche League International Book)" by La Leche League International. That is a no nonsense-this-is-how-to-do-it-and-what-to-do-if-you're-stumped guide. I also own that book and it reads like a dictionary. I used it for diagnosing problems as they arose. I think it's also a valuable resource to own.

"So That's What They're For" is great for first time mothers who need encouragement to make the best decision for their infant's nutritional needs. It doesn't absolve new mothers of their guilt should they choose to formula-feed. It lays out all the facts - breastmilk is best and if you choose anything else, you're choosing substandard infant nutrition. There's no way around that.

I truly believe that if I hadn't read this book, I wouldn't have been so determined to breastfeed. It probably saved my nursing relationship with my son. We were a nursing pair for 2 1/2 years. The information gleaned from this book got me through the worst two months of my life - my son's first two months of breastfeeding. I cried through nearly every feeding in those two months - not due to post-partum depression. But because I wanted to give up because it was so hard and so exhausting. Because of this book, we made the decision not to keep bottles or formula in the house as a back up plan. It saved us countless times from giving in to the temptation to formula-feed or even to pump and bottle-feed.

This book isn't about teaching women how to nurse, but WHY they should nurse. It's empowering and a must-read for everyone considering breastfeeding. If you're going to succeed, you need to have the conviction to follow through. This book is a great motivating tool for mothers who are unsure of their ability to breastfeed.