The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding: Seventh Revised Edition (La Leche League International Book) Reviews

• Buyer beware!

  
  By A1D4NLOGC25CEK on 2005-02-02
  This is a great book, and no mistake. I highly recommend it for anyone who has already given birth and has breastfeeding well established, to answer those occasional problems that crop up that are unique to breastfeeding. HOWEVER -- I will give you my story and you see what you think:
  
  1) I bought this book while I was pregnant and after reading it became practically militantly opposed to anything except breastfeeding;
  
  2) After giving birth via c-section, my baby was not brought to me until 6 hours after birth and he had a poor latch;
  
  3) The hospital, like many, only had one lactation consultant on duty and she did not get to me until my nipples were already bleeding/scabbed over.
  
  As a result, I had to bottlefeed my son formula because my nipples were so painful. Thus my milk supply decreased. So I called La Leche League for help and they made me feel like some sort of witch for "supplementing with formula." I still feel guilty, two months later.
  
  I recommend you pick up this book in a book store and look it over before you buy it. It does had good advice, but can make a person who is having trouble with breastfeeding feel very guilty. My husband said even the title is demeaning, that since breastfeeding is a "Womanly Art" it gives the impression that a person who is unable to do it for one reason or another is somewhat less of a woman.
  
  I know this won't be the most popular review of this book, but I did want to get this out there so no one else ends up feeling like a scorned woman when breastfeeding doesn't work for her.
  
  

• whose agenda is best served by this book?

  
  By A1I29589MHBVGN on 2006-03-17
  I breastfed all three of my children well into toddlerhood and was very active in LLL for several years. This book does have helpful information, but if you don't completely subscribe to LLL's basic philosophy (breastfeeding on demand until the child chooses to wean, having no scheduled separations from the child because then you might not be available for nursing at the exact moment the child wanted to, a very limited role for fathers, etc.), the book will seem judgmental. In addition, the book often does not seem sympathetic to mothers who face what seem like overwhelming problems. Their assurances that you can work things out no matter what can be guilt inducing rather than helpful. Actually talking to LLL leaders can be great--I've gotten some wonderful help from some. On the other hand, I've know others who were either not knowlegable enough to be helpful, gave too much information, or who were jugmental and unsupportive of mothers who made choices they didn't like (such as working outside the home). One cannot be an LLL leader if one has had scheduled separations from baby (like working), so many leaders have strong feelings about how you should parent, and their personal feelings can get inthe way of being helpful to moms who work, want to wean, have to go on a trip without the baby, etc. In the book itself, I also find that the use of "he" to refer to all children is annoying--they say it's for clarity because the mom is always "she," but in the chapter on dads, they still refer to babies as he, and somehow the references are still clear. LLL has a tendency to put women in the secondary position of fulfilling their womanliness solely by serving the needs of others. I think The Nursing Mother's Companion is a better book for the nursing mom. It's helpful and practical, and while the author is very pro-breastfeeding, you don't feel like there's a hidden agenda lurking beneath the advice. The non-breastfeeding oriented decisions you make about how to run your life and family don't really enter into the discussion, while in LLL's book, these other issues are front and center. If you don't want a whole life philosophy along with breastfeeding advice, The Nursing Mother's Companion is a better book.
  
  

• answers when you need them

  
  By AUPUZ14778SD7 on 2004-09-21
  I had problems with breastfeeding for the first 4 weeks. Just when I was at my wits end, everything just clicked and now we are doing great. This book really helped me through those weeks and I got the encouragement I needed. There are relatable stories and straight answers to questions you have about breastfeeding. I found this to be an invaluable resource!
  
  

• A Must Read for All Moms-to-Be

  
  By ACKTWO85GBJQT on 2004-06-16
  I had a much older edition of this book when I was pregnant with my first child almost 10 years ago and I read it and countless other pregnancy, breastfeeding and parenting books. I passed along the older version to a pregnant friend after the birth of my youngest in 2002; I thought I knew all I needed to know after successfully breastfeeding my first and continuing to breastfeed my youngest. Some recent problems led me to borrow the new 7th Revised Edition from a LLL meeting and I wish I had a newer edition before my second son was born. I learned so much about recent scientific discoveries about breastfeeding and the healthful properties of human milk. I could have avoided alot of heartbreak and anxiety in the hospital if I'd known all this and read it prior to his birth. The hospital was not very friendly to breastfeeding and if I had not already had the positive experience with my first son, I probably would have let them convince me of the need for bottles. As it was, we had a very difficult time in the first few weeks, which could have been avoided with the knowledge and information contained in this book. I urge you to read it, especially if you are considering nursing. And even if you plan to feed your baby formula, it may change your mind! And bring it with you to the hospital to use as a resource and to back up your requests to nurses to NOT give your baby sugar water, formula or a pacifier. The scientific information and references provided should give you all the support you need.
  
  

• The world moves on, the LLL stays the same

  
  By AVEVNXZGYY2CE on 2007-04-05
  I wrote a review of a previous edition of this book that discussed the multiple problems I saw when I read it prior to having my son. I recently perused this new edition and was disheartened to see that though the world has moved on, the LLL and this book keep doggedly touting the same useless information. Such as: you can overcome any breastfeeding challenge if you just try harder. You're a bad mom if you work; you should stay home with your baby, and really everyone can choose whether to work or not. Formula is poison and if you give it to your baby you're compromising their health and maybe their life. You should co-sleep with your baby or you are not a good mother who is committed to breastfeeding. Not allowing your child to self-wean will damage them irrevocably, even if the child is 3 and shows no sign of wanting to wean. If you want to work or go out for an evening or just want to go to the bathroom by yourself without nursing you aren't really committed to breastfeeding or to being a good mother. Etc. etc. etc. Yawn.
  
  The bottom line is there are many breastfeeding moms out there who work, who don't co-sleep, and who directed their child's weaning and their children are fine, functional individuals. While the rest of the world has moved on to discussions about how we can support working moms who breastfeed, how we can make maternity leaves longer to encourage breastfeeding, how we can give moms tools to make breastfeeding successful, and how moms need to balance the needs of their families against their own mental health and emotional well-being, the LLL can't move past the old philosophies that have been driving women away from LLL for years, the main one being that if you can't breastfeed, it's your fault because you put your own needs (for health insurance, financial security, sleep, or five freakin' minutes to yourself) ahead of breastfeeding. Is this really what women need - more guilt? Haven't we all figured out that all the "mommy wars" stuff was fabricated by the media, and now it's time to move on to finding real solutions to real problems that real moms face? 65 percent of women go back to work at least part-time during their child's first year of life but there's almost no information in this book to help that mom - the average mom - with her breastfeeding challenges.
  
  I guess the LLL doesn't think those women need answers. They're still putting out this book with the same recommendations they've been giving for decades, that are aimed at exactly one audience - the SAHM who is willing to breastfeed on demand indefinitely and has no other obligations or priorities that compete with breastfeedng. It seems to me that the LLL becomes more insular and stridently in favor of a lifestyle the vast majority of moms can't pull off as time goes on. No wonder their literature, like this book, all sounds like advertising for the League; I imagine with this level of extremism and orthodoxy they're having difficulty attracting members.
  
  If you want solid breastfeeding advice with a minimum of politicking, pick up the Nursing Mother's Companion. It has great information and was a big help to me. Skip this unless you're looking for empty exhortations about how you just need to try harder and breastfeeding will work, and a healthy dose of guilt about all the things you do or don't do that make you a terrible mother.
  
  
• if you're on a deserted island alone with your baby
  By A65Q4IQBNKBC2 on 2005-09-13
  I found this book to be the exact opposite of what I was looking for. It made breastfeeding sound like an impossible feat. The author is constantly reminding you that you need to be completely available for your baby with absolutely no distractions. With a husband who was working 12 hour days, an older child to take care of, and no family geographically close enough to offer much help, this book left me feeling like I'd fail miserably at breastfeeding.
  
  I was also planning to go back to work and looking for some advice on pumping and storing milk. Throughout the entire book, there was only one small section dedicated to returning to work and breastfeeding. The first half gave minimal information about breastmilk storage and pumping and the second half was about why you should reconsider your plans and stay home with your child instead. That's fine, but sometimes its not an option.
  
  I'm happy to say that my son is now 11 months old and has had no need for formula, despite my having felt like there was no use in even trying to breastfeed after reading this book. I'm glad I read it early in my pregnancy so that I could find better resources of information and build my confidence back up before my son was born.
  
  Don't get me wrong, I like LLL and what they stand for and the meetings have been beneficial to me, but overall, Womanly Art gave me very little useful information about breastfeeding. It was all about advocating Attachment Parenting. Just not what I needed, wanted, or expected.
  
  
• for certain mothers it is probably fine.
  By A27AE97HFXM2Z5 on 2005-08-09
  This book starts out extremely supportive of breastfeeding. It ends up sounding disdainful of formula feeding, working mothers, and those who choose to wean babies deliberately. It also makes a huge assumption - that all mothers reading this book are parenting with a husband. If you are parenting alone, with another woman, or in a different husbandless situation, you may find this book alienating and unhelpful in some areas. If you are a stay-at-home mother with a husband who provides most of the family's income, you will probably find this book more helpful. The book's approach to overcoming some breastfeeding obstacles can be very good in some areas. However, I would like to have seen more thorough referencing of the many, many generalized claims this book makes. The League has a tendency to find references that support their position, and dismiss studies that do not show clear breastfeeding benefits by saying, more or less, "we already know that breastfeeding is significantly superior in every way, shape, and form."
  
  
• Needs Less Preaching & Better Dietary Advice
  By A14F9UBZRP874F on 2005-11-05
  This book from the La Leche League promotes the benefits and joys of breastfeeding but fails to properly support the many women who experience difficulties. Indeed, its dietary advice is so bad that it is almost guaranteed to create problems for lactating mothers. It's good that the La Leche League advises avoidance of sugar, soda and partially hydrogenated fats, but the recommended low-fat, low-salt, high-vegetable oil, plant-happy diet is a prescription for poor quality breast milk, difficulty producing sufficient milk, fussy infants, exhausted mothers, and even postpartum depression. I strongly recommend that all readers supplement this book with NOURISHING TRADITIONS by Sally Fallon, which offers sound dietary advice not only for lactation but for preconception, pregnancy and childhood. Finally, La Leche seems unduly harsh on mothers who find it necessary to supplement with formula or to give up breastfeeding altogether, and leaves them in the lurch when it comes to providing crucial information on the pros and cons of different types of formula. Soy formula is particularly dangerous. The Israeli, UK, New Zealand, French and Swiss governments have all recently issued strong warnings against the use of soy formula because of evidence that the high levels of soy phytoestrogens can interfere with proper thyroid, brain and reproductive system development. Breast is best, soy is worst, and it's high time that parents and pediatricians know it.
  
  
  
• LLL and this book made breastfeeding a GREAT experience!
  By A3R9MYNEV023HL on 2006-01-13
  I've read the reviews on this book and La Leche League stating that somehow, La Leche Leage (LLL)and this book can make one feel inadequate or less womanly if problems with breastfeeding lead to supplementing with formula. My experience has found this to be very untrue.
  
  I attended my first LLL meeting while I was pregnant with my first child. I found the people to be very friendly and they went out of their way to answer all of my questions about becoming a new mom and breastfeeding. I contuniued these meetings for the wonderful support and education throughout my pregnancy. I also hired a Lactation Consultant to help with breastfeeding once the baby was born.
  
  Unfortunatly,I ended up with a c-section. I was unable to see my daughter for almost 4 hours after the surgery. When I did finally meet her, she was very drowsy from the epidural and would not latch for over 24 hours. My daughter was born on a Friday night, and the hospital's Lactation Consultant was "off" for the weekend!!! It was the wonderful women I met at the LLL meetings that I called for help. They were so helpful and did not judge me for having difficulty. Also, the book was VERY helpful in answering all of the MANY questions that arose once my child was brought to me. I especially loved the chapter that addresses concerns about breastfeeding after a c-section. Many of the nurses and, suprisingly, the physicians, suggested over and over that I supplement with formula, when really all I needed was a breastpump!!! I had to request a breastpump 3 times before it was brought to me. Without the support of the LLL and the book, I would have gone along with the nurses and Doctors and my daughter & I would have missed out on all the benefits of breastfeeding.
  
  In short, I have not found this book or LLL to be judgmental of mothers who have difficulty with breastfeeding and end up supplementing with formula, rather, what I have found is just pure frustration that mothers are robbed of the opportunity to experience all the benefits of breastfeeding by being pushed into supplementing at the fist sign of any difficulty. My experience has taught me that breastfeeding is an art and it is not always easy to master it, especially when you are mentally and physically exhausted from having a baby. LLL was there to SUPPORT me and my family in that time by providing education and assistance. Thanks to them I knew how important it was to get my baby the colostrum I was producing the first few days after she was born and I knew not to panic when there was very little of it coming out. So many of the moms I know are convinced to supplement or give up breastfeeding altogether because they are told or mistakenly think the don't have "enough milk" during this stage!!! I was so relieved that I was wiser due to the information I received from LLL and the book.
  
  The first couple of weeks of breastfeeding were difficult, but with the help of my Lactation Consultant, LLL friends, and this book, my now 5 month old daughter is 100% breastfed and VERY happy, healthy and bonded to me (as I am to her!).
  
  I can't say enough good things about this book and LLL. They helped me to become a caring, nurturing and confident mom! Also, there's a 1-800 number in the book that any mom can call and they will walk you through ANY breastfeeding problem!
  
  
• Judgmental LLL Propaganda
  By A3AJIQ2C504RTH on 2006-08-12
  There are several really excellent breastfeeding books on the market that have a positive, practical and sensitive approach to all types of mothering and feeding practices. This is not one of them. This is a 400 page advertisement for La Leche League and the message that I received from this book is that good mothers breastfeed and give birth naturally and everyone else just didn't try hard enough. It is subtle, but once I noticed it, I could not avoid the glaring fact that this book is laced with masked criticism and veiled judgment. Wouldn't it be great if, in the collective group we refer to as mothers, we could all stop looking down on each other and promote acceptance instead? If you feel the same way that I do, you will not buy this book.
  
  
• Good but Perhaps Unrealistic
  By A35MI3P7NIEM5Y on 2005-07-31
  After reading all the research that says that breastfeeding is best, I've decided that I want to give it a try. So, I decided that a book from LLL would be a good place to start in learning the "how to" part of all of this. This book does provide some information on breastfeeding, however, it isn't nearly as specific as I thought it would be. It sort of covers breast feeding from a broad perspective and doesn't really have all that much specific information. For example, I'm really struggling with deciding how to breastfeed after I return to work. As a teacher, it isn't like I have a whole lot of privacy or break time to pump. I was hoping that this book would have advice on how I can realistically do this. However, the book seemed to have more of a hidden agenda that promoted women staying at home to raise their children and returning to work when their babies are older. In this dream world where my husband's paycheck (he is also a teacher) would meet our financial needs that sounds perfect but unfortunately, I live in the real world and I need real advice. This was an interesting book to read, although I found it somewhat unrealistic, but I'm still going to have to buy another book or two in order to get answers to my real world questions.
  
  
• Better resources available elsewhere
  By A39JEE0MKC4XVB on 2006-02-08
  I found this book poorly organized and written. At the time I purchased it, I was already planning to breastfeed, and while I found I agreed with most of the substantive material in the book, I couldn't stand its preachy, condescending and dogmatic style. Nearly every chapter contains the same repetitive arguments for why breastfeeding is wonderful, and downplays the very real difficulties that some mothers experience with breastfeeding. The book is short on practical tips, and finding information on a specific topic is difficult due to poor chapter and index organization.
  
  
• The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding (LaLeche League)
  By A1RSDTTIM8CJ93 on 2004-12-03
  This wonderful, factful book got me through the wee hours of the night when I thought nothing was going right. It gave truthful information rather than the fad stuff one hears from friends and Moms. The book helped making this part of child rearing a true joy. I am now giving a copy to my daughter to help her prepare for the care of my first grandchild.
  
  
• Good if things are going well...
  By A2XIH61P6FDLJ9 on 2005-02-16
  I have to agree with some of the reviews that I've read. This is a very informative and pro-breastfeeding book. I bought it when I was pregnant with my daughter and, having read it, felt very prepared to nurse her. However, we had nothing but challenges for the first 3 months. I found myself frequently turning to other sources for help and information. This book is a great resource for successful nursing relationships. But when I had to supplement with formula and introduce a bottle earlier than I wanted, this book made me feel as if we were in an unusual situation (now I know that many women have trouble nursing) and that I was somehow damaging my beautiful daughter by feeding her formula.
  
  
• The Perfect Baby Shower Gift
  By A3ARDVJNVFJJNR on 2005-09-18
  I loved this book when I was nursing my own children and have given it as a baby shower gift ever since. It contains accurate and timely physiology answers, lifestyle options, common problems and solutions that are easy to find and use. Nursing is natural but so are many challenges. This book is the "GO TO FIRST" reference for new moms. I am an RN and learned lots.
  
  
• Sound and up to date
  By A2GGWVP94Y6DEW on 2005-05-17
  Like some of the mothers who have reviewed this book, I too struggled with establishing nursing, but rather than discourage me, I found this book and La Leche League in general were the only ones willing to stick it out and support me. It was also the only book I found that didn't hold back on the fact that newborns can nurse a lot! And while when I was in need of help I didn't always want to read the beginning sections of the book, I still found help in the problem-solving chapters. It's also well researched and written by mothers to mothers. Sometimes books by doctors are slow on integrating new studies and science into their books because they have just become so used to the way they practice and work to resolve breastfeeding issues, the Womanly Art though, can't afford inaccuracies since moms don't have that established sense of credability doctors do, even if they are right.
  
  
• Full of love...
  By A12XJOEGI90MK0 on 2006-06-23
  This is a beautiful book that discusses breastfeeding and mothering through breastfeeding in a warm and compassionate manner. The encouragement to find mother to mother support through organizations like La Leche League offered in this book is wonderful, especially for nursing mothers who do not otherwise have a support system. In addition to offering accurate guidance on all aspects of breastfeeding, the book not only presents medical benefits of breastfeeding for both mother and child, but also a historical and global perspective on the subject matter, especially weaning. Ours is a society where women are expected to breastfeed by the medical community and the media, but are given few tools and too much misinformation to enable many women to be successful. It is a blessing that this book combats both of those obstacles.
  
  
• No help increasing milk supply
  By A3023YYQ9OQFX3 on 2006-08-26
  Yes, I agree with all the comments about this book being very smug about non-breast feeding or formula-supplamenting mothers. My problem with this book was the very clear indication on the back cover that there was information on how to increase milk supply. The was absolutely NO such information ANYWHERE in this book, and I read it cover to cover. The closest thing I found were a few reassuring comments that as long as your baby is gaining weight, and your diet is good, you should be fine. As a working mom who is pumping daily I have recently noticed a decline in my milk, and while their reassurance is very nice, what I need is ACTUAL practical advice. This book was seriously irritating.
  
  
• WONDERFUL book
  By A3IAQ1TY2GXWDU on 2005-03-03
  This is the only breastfeeding book you need. When my son was born, I thought I was totally prepared to breastfeed him, but right away I had SO many questions and concerns. Most of the time, I just looked in this book and found all the information I needed. And when the answers werent in the book, I just called my local La Leche League leader, and spoke with her (phone number even provided in the book!).
  
  If you want to give your child the best start in life by breastfeeding, prepare yourself by reading this wonderful book!
  
  
• So So Book
  By A125WI1M2OC424 on 2005-03-09
  I didn't really like this book. I bought it being told it was the BEST book on BF out there and now I am thinking I was misinformed. The books chapters bounce back and forth from one thing to another, its very hard to follow. There isn't enough real info....just letters from other women with their experiences, it feels too much like What to Expect When Expecting (a book I didn't like as well) If you want an educational informed read, get a different book. If you don't mind a spread out all over the place mess, go ahead and buy this.
  
  
• Annoying
  By ATXFSKRFAIO0Y on 2006-03-05
  This book annoyed me to no end. I am a thinking, practical woman and with all the troubles we had (mastitis, yeast, oversupply, work, food allergy), I needed some guidance, not stupid anecdotes about other people who had that problem and still breastfed.
  
  This book is not informative and is not a guide for breastfeeding. If you want instructions, not stories, get the nursing mother's companion book. It actually tells you how to handle situations rather than how other people were in that situation and were so glad they kept breastfeeding through it.
  
  
• Ok Book, Can make you feel bad
  By A1HNKL3RSP79C6 on 2006-07-06
  I was very excited when I ordered and received this book. I was 8 months pregnant, and was ready for a natural childbirth and breastfeeding my new baby. I wound up with a c-section after 20 hours of labor with no drugs, and 3 hours of pushing. This was very stressful to my body and mind. After a day or two of trying to breastfeed, my baby was screaming for hours. All of the nurses at the hospital were telling me that he wasn't getting enough food, and I should supplement him with formula. This devastated me because this book says NO SUPPLEMENTING! My son's pediatrician made me do it because he lost so much weight because my milk wasn't coming in. It took over a week for my milk to come in (because of the stress from delivery), and at 13 weeks past delivery, I still don't make enough milk to pump. If I leave my baby with his grandparents, I have to leave formula. The book is good, however, it fails to take into consideration that some women don't make that much milk. I have never had a leaking breast problem, and I have never been engorged. I just make enough to feed my baby from the breast. That's it. I liked the book, but it made me feel really bad about myself as a mother when I had to supplement. Read it, and take what you can from it, but remember that things do happen, and not everything will go as planned.
  
  
• Helpful but dogmatic
  By A2DY654AIP7197 on 2005-02-11
  I found The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding to be a helpful source of nursing information. It covers all of the how-tos and what-ifs. However, I believe it elevates breastfeeding too highly; this book, and the La Leche League in general, seems to behave as if breastfeeding is crucial to being a good mother. That just isn't true. Yet, if you're looking for a good manual on nursing, here it is.
  
  
• The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding
  By A2DYD6RQ3XWYT3 on 2006-02-17
  I thought this book was useful even though I have now been breastfeeding my daughter for 20 months. I was interested in how one might tandem nurse (as we are expecting our second baby soon) and I had planned to nurse my daughter for at least 2 years, or until she wanted to stop. After reading this text, I was enlightened about the reasons and ways to gently work through the many difficulties I had encountered as a nursing mom, such as initial low milk supply due to C-section, difficulties with the breast pump/s, disapproving relatives of breastfeeding for our child, initially slow weight gain of infant due to low supply, biting, dehydration of mother, illness of mother and of child, nursing through pregnancy and beyond as well as how to kindly wean your child if you decide to do so before they are "ready". I had read that this book was not supportive of women who plan to formula supplement, etc. I didn't get that feeling. To me, the book's premise is clearly that "breast is best" and although breastfeeding is at times challenging, it is well worth the extra effort in tems of your and your babies psychological and physical health.
  
  
• Warning: This book can make you feel like a bad mother
  By A3DGM98UN47PIH on 2006-12-30
  Having picked up this book during the first postpartum weeks filled with anxiety and insecurties, may have been the worst mistake I have ever made. At first glance I was sucked in, I mean, just have a look at the cover - mommy and baby, the poster for a nurturing family if there ever was one. But breast-feeding didn't end up being the "most natural thing in the world for me" and although this book was supposed to help get you through the "challenges,"
  
  I personally felt its main purpose was to keep women breast-feeding no matter what. They describe all of the ways (many of which are based on biased studies) you are depriving your child if you decide that (the dreaded) formula might work better for you. Even supplementing is frowned upon in this book. We are constantly lectured that "breast is best" inundated with statitics about how poorly your child will do in school, how obese they will become and how many more ear infections and other sicknesses your baby will get if you are not dedicated enough to overcome the obstacles. Some women can't or decide not to breast-feed for various reasons, none of them making them bad parents. Some women get horrible mastitis, some babies just never do learn to latch properly. Not to mention, women who have had breast reductions, augmentations, surgeries etc.
  
  This book tells you that almost all these problems can be overcome if you just are dedicated enough. It may NOT be the intention of the LLL to make woman who are breast-feeding-challenged and who just aren't up for soldiering on feel less-than as a parent, but this seems to be the overriding message. And, in my opinion and from what I gleaned from this book, I do believe it is the intention of this book. The LLL has an agenda, of that you can be sure. Personally, I feel this does a disservice to women and that not all that information is actually fact based. Yes, they claim their info comes from the American Association of Pediatrics but there is contraditory information out there as well. Proven information, medical based information that says that formula can be just as good for your baby! Especially if you're not healthy, not eating right or drinking Coors Light for breakfast.
  
  But the formula companies are too scared to talk about it for fear of backlash from LLL.
  
  My point here is that a book on breastfeeding, which for some is the hardest job you will have as a new mother, should be loving, supportive and let you know that it's allright if you just can't do it. Your baby with thrive! If a baby is given a bottle while being held and cuddled you will have no problem bonding. Please, please think before buying this book if you don't want a lecture. Their are other books available that will give you a more balanced less politicized view. I gave the book two stars because I do think the authors mean well. I just think they leave no room for imperfection. And as any woman knows, if you are to be a good mom, you must leave plenty of room for trial and error.
  
  
• A Mother's Breastfeeding Handbook
  By A221KSL3CYK6PO on 2005-06-14
  I first read this book was back when my first daughter was a few months old. I enjoyed reading it cover-to-cover. At the time I was so completely absorbed with new motherhood and the personal miracle of feeding and sustaining a baby on my milk. It was enjoyable to read a book focused on the beauty and nature of the breastfeeding art and is also well researched and written by mothers for mothers. I have since read and reread the newest 7th edition of The Womanly Art. As a more seasoned mother and breastfeeding mom of a toddler, I have used the book as a resource guide. When other mothers ask questions about breastfeeding I often consult The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding as it is a complete reference guide to most issues pertaining to breastfeeding. All of the information is presented in a positive yet realistic and simple way. I have given the book as a birthing gift to close friends who expressed an interest in breastfeeding.
  
  
• A simply invaluable purchase
  By ABWENCE71H1C5 on 2005-08-30
  This is an absolute must have if you are planning to breastfeed. If it completely informative, encouraging and helpful, especially if you are having difficulties. Also going to the La Leche meetings if you need help or support are invaluable! You don't even need to be a member to attend! Its a great support sytem and a wonderful way for your children to socialize with others! Good luck!
  
  
• Good for Beginning Mothers and for nursing toddlers
  By AYORRSZ0RE5O3 on 2005-09-01
  This is a wonderful book for mothers who have chosen to breastfeed. As a mother who started out in recovery with a cesarean section I needed all the help I could get. It addressed production issues, pumping, teething, sleeping, nipple confusion, and also solids. The format is easy to read and find things which helps during times when one is exhausted and is tempted to supplement with formula.
  
  
• Don't be fooled
  By ADFRH0Y4YWQJR on 2006-06-19
  There is a lot of helpful information about breastfeeding in this book. But, basically, this book is an Attachment Parenting book disguised as a book about breastfeeding.
  
  And the condescending tone throughout this book just disgusts me. Just look at the title. Even the title is holier than thou. I guess women who are unable to breastfeed just aren't womanly enough.
  
  If you're looking for a how-to guide to breastfeeding, this isn't the book for you. If you're looking for a how-to guide to Attachment Parenting, then this is the book for you.
  
  
• Gave me the advice I needed as a first time mom!
  By A1PPXHPBY81SLH on 2006-06-23
  This book was given to me after a week of breastfeeding and it was a mental lifesaver! I had SO many people telling me that I should be doing this, not to be doing that and it let me know the basic facts of breastfeeding PLUS it gave very important information on being a mom and attachment parenting....which I had never heard about. After reading 1/2 the book in a day (all while nursing!) I quickly learned to let go of what other people were telling me and to let my instincts guide how I was going to mother my new baby with love.
  
  I gave it 5 stars even though I do not personally agree with long term nursing because of the way the book presented the topic. I weaned my son at 13 months and with the advice of this book we had a wonderful nursing experience!
  
  

• The Baby Book: Everything You Need to Know About Your Baby from Birth to Age Two (Revised and Updated Edition)
• Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way: Revised Edition
• Husband-Coached Childbirth (Fifth Edition): The Bradley Method of Natural Childbirth
• The Nursing Mother's Companion: Revised Edition
• Ina May's Guide to Childbirth