Breastfeeding Resources

Every week I meet a beautiful new mother dedicated to giving her baby the very best - but saddled with breastfeeding questions/needs/concerns that I wish so much I could have helped her solve much earlier in her breastfeeding carrier.

With proactive planning, accurate information and skills we could forgo most of the problems that arise for nursing moms.

I hold other well informed lactation consultants in high regard and pray a time comes when ALL mothers have easy access to a certified, professional lactation consultant who knows the literature and is equipped to help. I also hope we come to once again live within a society that truly values, appreciates, encourages and empowers the gentle mothering of humans by feeding them naturally -- the liquid gold power that is human milk.

In the meantime, here are some of the very best resources (books, followed by websites and articles) for the breastfeeding momma in your life.


1) Breastfeeding Made Simple: Seven Natural Laws for Nursing Mothers ~ This is by far the best 'how to' and problem solving book out there for nursing moms ~ I give it to all new mom friends who are planning to breastfeed. Perfect gift for a mom planning to nurse.


2) The Baby Bond: The New Science Behind What's Really Important When Caring For Your Baby by Dr. Linda Palmer - One of my all-time favorite, wish-every-parent-would-read books. If you are already a breastfeeding mom, this book will come as encouraging and empowering support of all you are giving your little one. If you are contemplating nursing a future baby, this book will give you oodles of research with which to make your decision. [This book used to be titled, "Baby Matters"]


3) Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering by Dr. Sarah Buckley - This book has an excellent chapter on breastfeeding, but the whole text is outstanding (for topics of BOTH birth and mothering)!


4) Our Babies, Ourselves by Dr. Meredith F. Small - Small's book is along the same lines as The Continuum Concept: In Search of Happiness Lost but more 'reader friendly' for the general population. It is an easy to devour book with words of wisdom that highlight the dramatic impact breastfeeding has on all aspects of babyhood, childhood, and adulthood - not to mention the implications on attachment between mother and her little one. Grounded in biology, anthropology, and related sciences, Small speaks on many other aspects of parenting as well, all of which are connected to the way we feed our young.


5) Take Charge of Your Child's Health by Dr. George Wootan. A great reference to have on hand for a variety of issues and a superb chapter on breastfeeding as well as great information on exclusive breastfeeding for the optimal duration of time for children's health.


6) Ina May's Guide to Breastfeeding by Ina May Gaskin - Brand new, hot off the press, and OH-SO-GOOD!! This is a must read for any and all mothers and mothers-to-be. Ina May's chapter on nipplephobia in North America makes it worth the purchase for that section alone! Absolutely excellent and a fabulous addition to the collection of breastfeeding literature.


7) Natural Family Living - I love the chapter on breastfeeding in this book. It reaffirms women's mothering instincts and the fact that baby had no other needs than those that can be met by his/her mother's loving care and warm milk.


8) Birth & Breastfeeding by Dr. Michel Odent - This book is primarily geared toward breastfeeding in the early weeks/months of a child's life, and especially around the time of birth. All of Dr. Odent's work is a-m-a-z-i-n-g!! He is such a wise obstetrician (and supporter of midwives).


9) The Politics of Breastfeeding: When Breasts are Bad for Business by Gabrielle Palmer - This book is absolutely essential to understanding the reasons that breastfeeding is vital to the wellbeing of humanity and the hardships faced throughout the world as a result of women not receiving the support, encouragement and empowerment to naturally feed their babies. An eye-opening book that will equip breastfeeding mothers with the knowledge needed to combat trials they face along the way.


10) Jack Newman's Guide to Breastfeeding by Dr. Jack Newman


11) The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding ~ revised/updated 8th edition ~ the 'classic' breastfeeding book by La Leche League International


12) The Breastfeeding Mother's Guide to Making More Milk




13) Having multiples? The book, Mothering Multiples will answer all your breastfeeding questions as well as help out with much more. It is an excellent resource for mothers-to-be of multiples, as well as those working to help multiple moms. Having Twins and More does not focus as much on breastfeeding (although a good section is included) but includes more indepth information on other aspects of multiple pregnancy, birth (including accurate intact care information), and childhood. These 2 books together are the perfect gift for any multiple mom to be. The resources and information in them is unmatched elsewhere.


13) Breastfeeding Older Children - the title is slightly misleading because while this book is an empowering read for sure, it is also full of information pertaining to the reasons why so many children in some developed nations (like the US, Canada and the UK) do not breastfeed for the optimal (and WHO recommended) duration of time. It is a must-read for all lactation consultants and those who work with mother/baby pairs around the time of birth. If you are nursing your older child right now, read this book and know you are far from alone in giving your child the milk designed for him or her.


14) Adventures in Tandem Nursing - some of the most ill-informed advice that I continue to hear OBs give to their newly pregnant clients is that they must stop breastfeeding. This is complete garbage. Tandem Nursing (i.e. nursing more than one child at a time) occurs all the time and it is absolutely normal and natural. You were given two breasts and enough milk making capabilities to sustain multiple lives. If you are going to be pregnant while nursing, or plan to nurse more than 1 child at a time, get this book.

15) Mothering Your Nursing Toddler - don't let the dated cover photo fool you, this book has timeless gems of information, tips, and knowledge for mothers nursing toddlers today and tomorrow.


16) How Weaning Happens by Diane Bengson - Includes excellent examples of how weaning happens in a variety of situations, with little ones of all different ages. It is an especially good collection of information for mothers nursing an older baby OR if a mother finds herself in a position where she feels she must complete the weaning process. Note: 'Weaning' includes the time from the FIRST introduction of a non-breastmilk item until the last drop of breastmilk is consumed. Therefore, for most babies, the time of 'weaning' occurs over several years.


17) Baby-led Weaning by Gill Rapley and Tracey Murkett - This book is more about the introduction and starting of solid food feeding (i.e. anything that is not breastmilk) rather than weaning in and of itself. As mentioned above, weaning starts when baby receives his/her first non-breastmilk source of food and ends when breastmilk is no longer being consumed. This book is excellent in establishing healthy eating habits for toddlers after their exclusive breastfeeding days. It is one which makes baby-feeding easier on parents, easier on baby, and a more enjoyable, healthy (NATURAL!) experience all around.

My only disagreement with Baby-led Weaning is that lactation/nutritional/health research demonstrates the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding over partial breastfeeding do not begin to diminish until after a baby (born at full term) is 8-12 months old. This means that we'd grant our babies the optimal health they were designed to achieve if they had only breastmilk in their diet for the first 8+ months of life, minimum. Then start into baby-led weaning.

When the time comes in your baby's life that it is in their best interest to begin solids (to transition from exclusive breastfeeding to partial breastfeeding), I'd also recommend these books in addition to the above Baby-led Weaning text.


1) Baby Greens


2) Boost Your Child's Immune System: A Program & Recipes for raising strong, healthy kids


80% of the immune system (keeping your little one healthy) is located in the gut. This is why the things you put into your baby's mouth truly do matter!

Our family has been blessed, because despite traveling the country (in and out of germy hotels, airports, and gas stations) as my job requires, our son has only been ill once (with a low grade fever) in his first 17 months of life. We've investigated and followed many of the baby-nursing/feeding ideas in these books and I feel this information was shared with us for a reason -- to enable us in making wiser choices as parents.

I am so thankful to everyone who provided insight to us along the way, and hope that we are able to pass along the blessing to others.


Websites:
in alphabetical order


Ask Dr. Sears (Dr. William Sears, M.D. and the Sears family of pediatricians)

Breastfeeding Basics (Anne Smith)

Breastfeeding Inc. (Dr. Jack Newman, M.D.)

Breastfeeding Online (Cindy Curtis)

Bliss Breastfeeding (Karen Speed)

Common Sense Breastfeeding (Diane Wiessinger)

Dr. Hale's Infant Risk Center (Dr. Tom Hale, Ph.D.)

Dr. Newman's Breastfeeding Help Handouts [printables]

Breastfeeding and Circumcision

Breastfeeding Baby Jesus

Breastfeeding Does Not Cause Breasts to Sag


Breastfeeding Does Not Cause Cavities

Breastfeeding Duration and Weaning Diet Impact Body Composition 

Breastfeeding: If At First You Don't Succeed

Breastfeeding in Church: A Picture of Christ's Sacrificial Love

Breastfeeding in Public: A Christian Father Speaks Up

Breastfeeding in Mongolia

Breastfeeding Latch Trick 

Breastfeeding Less than 6 Months Shows Decreases in Mental Health


Breastfeeding Loss: A Grandmother Still Mourns

Breastfeeding My Adopted Child

Breastfeeding Protects Against Rotavirus Diarrhea More than Vaccination

Breastfeeding Resources [you are on this page]

Breastfeeding: Thee Best Economic Stimulus Package
 
Breastfeeding Weaning & Duration Impacts Health

Breastmilk Component Kills Cancer Cells

Breastmilk Donation

Breastmilk, Oats & Honey Lotion

Breastmilk Popsicles

Breastmilk Sugars Provide Babies with Protective Coat 

Breastmilk Used in Cancer Fight

Breasts in Mourning: How bottle feeding mimics child loss in mothers' brains

Busting Breastfeeding Myths

Bye-Bye Baby: Baby Gloton Sold Out World Wide

The Case for Cue Feeding


Castor Oil Pack Therapy
 
Cedar Rapids, IA Nurse-in After Mother Harassed


Circumcision Increases Breastfeeding Complications

Confessions of a Failed Babywiser

Could Breastmilk be the Cure for Acne?

Early Exclusive Breastfeeding Reduces Newborn Death

Enfamil's new "RestFull" Formula Discourages Necessary Nighttime Parenting

The Effects of Circumcision on Breastfeeding

Encouraging Black Women to Embrace Breastfeeding

Exclusive Human Milk Benefits Preterm Babies

Exclusively Breastfeeding Less than 6 Months Increases Lung & Intestinal Infections

Facebook to Ban Breastfeeding Support Group
 
Federal Breastfeeding Laws

Fanatical Breastfeeder: Part One

First Time Mom to Adopt and Breastfeed Her Two Babies

Formula For Disaster [Video]

Free Formula Samples Never Save the Day

History of La Leche League

HIV & Breastfeeding

How the Foreskin & Breastfeeding Protect from UTI (urinary tract infection)
 
Human Milk Kick Starts Baby's Immune System


If My Baby Bites

If You Nurse Your Baby... 

Ill Baby in SE MI needs donated milk

In Solidarity: Why SEEING Breastfeeding is Still Important

Induced Lactation


International Breastfeeding Symbol

Is Your Baby on a Nursing Strike?

Isn't it Poisonous? Breastfeeding While Pregnant

Kangaroo Mother Care Saves 2lb Premature Twin

Lactating Fountains 

Lactation Cookies: Increasing Milk Supply

Lactivist/Intactivist Christmas Ornaments

Lone Lactivist

Major Milk Makin' Lactation Cookies

The Medicinal Uses of Breastmilk

Milk Drunk [poem]

Milkies Milk Saver

Milky Way [poem]

Model, Nell McAndrew, on NIP and Child-led Weaning

More Moms Choose Breastfeeding to Save Money

More Ways to Use Breastmilk


Mother Baby Separation

Mother who lost baby donates breastmilk...

Mother's Milk Cheese

Mother's Skin-to-Skin Goodbye Saves Baby

Multinationals Break Formula Sales Laws

My Adoptive Breastfeeding Journey

Natural Weaning


Newborn Breast Crawl

Night Waking [and Nursing] Protects Against SIDS

Nipplephobia: When Mammals May Not Feed Their Young

Nursing a Costco Receipt
 
Nursing a Baby Without Wearing a Bag or Spending Your Life Savings



Oh the Lies: Breastfeeding vs. Organic Formula

Old Navy Sells "Formula Powered" Onesie

On Becoming Elderwise: Caring for Grandma God's Way [parody]

The Original Happy Meal

Our Mosaic: Sixteen Months of Breastfeeding

Peaceful Parenting: Following Your Instincts

Peaceful Parenting: Overcoming My Childhood Abuse

Pediatric Nurse and Former Ezzo Parent

Planting Seeds: Making a Difference Post by Post

Reasons NOT to send formula or breastmilk to Haiti


Rooting While at Rest [poem]

SIDS and Enfamil "Restfull" Formula: Yes, the connection exists

Starting Solids? Read These First!

Tackling Distress Tantrums with Brain Research

Taking Down Babywise: A Hero 

Teething, Momma Milk and Nighttime Parenting

Teething Pains

The Taste of Mom's Milk

Thank You for Nursing in Public

Tips for Biting While Breastfeeding

Tips for Nursing Strikes

Toddler at the Snack Bar

Top Breastfeeding Slogans

Treating and Preventing Thrush

TRIandem Nursing

Turn Your Crib into a CoSleeper

Two Dozen Nursing Moms Come to Aid of Baby Boy

UK Mother Fighting Cancer in Need of Breastmilk for Newborn Baby 

United States Breastfeeding Committee Statement

United States' Breastfeeding Laws

Urgent Need: Lact-Aid System Parts 

US Officials say it's Time for More Moms to Breastfeed

The Virgin Gut
 
Watch Your Language


Wean Me Gently [poem]

5 comments:

  1. Thank you for including the links related to the impact of circumcision on breastfeeding. Our first son had a terrible time nursing AFTER he was circumcised (before the surgery he was fine). He never did 'recover' fully and we dealt with failure-to-thrive issues. We were more educated by the time DS #2 arrived and the rest of our boys are intact. The rest of them also breastfed as champs from the beginning and never had problems. I will forever regret not being more educated on the impact that circumcision has on breastfeeding (and many other health issues) before my first son was born. Thank you for giving me something to pass onto others.

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  2. The harm that circumcision causes to effective breastfeeding was the reason one of our larger hospitals in SD stopped doing circumcision surgeries (according to the head pediatricians).

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  3. Another great breastfeeding book is Breastfeeding with Confidence by Sue Cox. Not a thick book for the non-readers out there but with great accurate, evidence based information.

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  4. I scanned through the list really quickly, but I didn't see anything about premies and the importance of breastmilk! There is a really great video published by a hospital in the US called "A Premie Needs his Mother", it's 60ish minutes long and goes through all the steps prems take when trying to establish breastfeeding.

    There's also really cool new research that's coming out about establishing pumping and breast emptying within ONE HOUR of birth in order to achieve maximum milk supply, and how hand expression and pumping increases the milk supply by almost 50%! We just got an update on it today at our nursing education day. :)

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  5. Can I suggest another great breastfeeding book: "A Nursing Mother's Companion". It is excellent- has wonderful advice on various topics, including returning to work & pumping. Also recommends cue feeding and advises against "Babywise". And has information on adequate weight gain! As a nurse practitioner and mom who's successfully nursed two babies, it's the top book I recommend!

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