This is a big book. When I say its a big book, I mean if you try and tuck this book into your purse you may be able to squeeze in a tube of chap-stick and your ID cards. With over 400 pages of stories and tips it is definitely something to have on hand for any breastfeeding mother. Would I recommended sitting down with this book on a rainy afternoon and tackling it from front to back? Heck no! But it makes a great reference book.
Most parents are aware that "Breast is Best" and will try to incorporate breastfeeding into their babies diet but they are unclear on how long they want to breastfeed for. Some folks can get pretty dang adamant about stopping at 6 months, 12 months, 18 months, or at another number that sounds good. I'm a firm believer that freshmen in college should enroll with an undeclared major because you can go in with the intention of being an art student and end up with a masters in engineering (think thats outlandish? Maybe- but its what I did!). I don't think parents should be encouraged to breastfeed until at least the first year but rather be encouraged to breastfeed until. Until when? Well, thats up to mom and baby (and really, dad/partner has a bit of a say so too- the whole family should be comfortable and supportive of it)! If you don't have a hard and firm "stop date" then you don't feel guilty about wanting to stop too early or feeling like you are nursing for too long of a time.
There are hiccups that happen with breastfeeding from the first latch to weaning and everything in between and this book really covers them all. For newborns I liked the tip they gave of watching the baby's cues- especially the fists. When baby starts curling their hands into little fists this fuel gage lets mom know it may be time to nurse! It also explained really well things like dreaded cluster feeding, night nursing, latch issues, "too much" and "not enough" milk, the biochemistry behind breast milk, nursing after breast surgery, nursing preemie/special needs/adoptive babies, pumping, and weaning.
On the note of weaning may I please just throw out there that this book is written and published by the La Leche Leauge (LLL). Globally, most children wean from the breast between 2 and 4 years and most mammals in nature wean by age 7. But no LLL leader is going to tell you that nursing your 20 year old is "wrong". Again, if the family is good with it then by all means, send expressed milk to your kid in care packages at college. But the point I'm trying to make is if you are looking for a resource on weaning, this may not be the best book to pick up. On the other hand, if you want to wean your baby/toddler, the advice it gives in the weaning section really makes you think about why you are weaning. Are you just over it or do you feel like you are being judged or that your baby is just old enough to stop?
If you are interested in learning more about this book, check out http://www.llli.org/thewomanlyartofbreastfeeding for a cliff notes version of the book. I am also adding this to my lending library and any client is more than welcome to borrow it for the duration of my service to the family.
Written by Eva Glosson-Wright, Postpartum Doula
There are hiccups that happen with breastfeeding from the first latch to weaning and everything in between and this book really covers them all. For newborns I liked the tip they gave of watching the baby's cues- especially the fists. When baby starts curling their hands into little fists this fuel gage lets mom know it may be time to nurse! It also explained really well things like dreaded cluster feeding, night nursing, latch issues, "too much" and "not enough" milk, the biochemistry behind breast milk, nursing after breast surgery, nursing preemie/special needs/adoptive babies, pumping, and weaning.
On the note of weaning may I please just throw out there that this book is written and published by the La Leche Leauge (LLL). Globally, most children wean from the breast between 2 and 4 years and most mammals in nature wean by age 7. But no LLL leader is going to tell you that nursing your 20 year old is "wrong". Again, if the family is good with it then by all means, send expressed milk to your kid in care packages at college. But the point I'm trying to make is if you are looking for a resource on weaning, this may not be the best book to pick up. On the other hand, if you want to wean your baby/toddler, the advice it gives in the weaning section really makes you think about why you are weaning. Are you just over it or do you feel like you are being judged or that your baby is just old enough to stop?
If you are interested in learning more about this book, check out http://www.llli.org/thewomanlyartofbreastfeeding for a cliff notes version of the book. I am also adding this to my lending library and any client is more than welcome to borrow it for the duration of my service to the family.
Written by Eva Glosson-Wright, Postpartum Doula
