Here are 5 breastfeeding books recommended by IBCLC & Infant Feeding Specialist Shel Banks and IBCLC & Tongue-tie Specialist Sarah Oakley
THE POSITIVE BREASTFEEDING BOOK: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO FEED YOUR BABY WITH CONFIDENCE BY PROFESSOR AMY BROWN
Synopsis – The Positive Breastfeeding Book cuts through the anecdotes, giving you clear, no-judgement, non-preachy, evidence-based information to help you make the right decisions for you and your baby. It will help you understand how breastfeeding works, and supports you in developing strategies to make sure that whilst you’re looking after the baby, you’re getting taken care of too. Jam-packed with everything you ever wanted to know about breastfeeding (and a whole lot you never knew you did!), it will take you through tips for planning for your baby’s arrival, coping with those early months, and knowing what to do and where to seek help if challenges come up. It will guide you through feeding in public, going back to work, and even rediscovering a glass of wine.
Buy here.
YOU'VE GOT IT IN YOU: A POSITIVE GUIDE TO BREAST FEEDING BY EMMA PICKETT
Synopsis – You may be worried about breastfeeding and worried that it might ‘not work’. This is a common feeling when you live in a society where breastfeeding is often sabotaged by incorrect information, patchy support from a stretched health service and powerful messages from formula companies. But it’s not a feeling that is entirely logical. We are mammals. We get our name from the dangly milk-producing bits. It defines us. Emma wrote this book because she would like you to be as well-prepared as possible. She would like you to breastfeed for as long as you want to and as happily as possible. Some of this new life with baby will be about flexibility and responsiveness and acceptance. If you are used to a world of schedules and decisions and goals, it may be a bit of a shock. Learn about human biology before you think it sounds bit too scary. Babies are the products of millions of years are evolution and we are too, if we can just tap into our instincts and trust them a little bit. Success comes when we tap into those instincts and when we know when to get help when our instincts aren’t answering all of our questions. Can everyone who wants to breastfeed make it work? No. It may not work out for every single person. Not everyone may be able to exclusively breastfeed due to medical issues. Most of these people can give their baby breastmilk though and I’ll talk this through as well. And let’s not start this journey by imagining you’ll be someone who won’t make it.
Buy here.
BREASTFEEDING UNCOVERED: WHO REALLY DECIDES HOW WE FEED OUR BABIES? BY PROFESSOR AMY BROWN
Synopsis – Across the world mothers are urged to breastfeed, but in Western society many find this a difficult task. Those who stop can feel demoralised and unsure as to why such a desired, encouraged and biologically normal behaviour can appear so challenging in reality. Breastfeeding Uncovered examines why this continues to happen, revealing how complex social and cultural messages work against new mothers, damaging the normal physiology of breastfeeding and making it seem unmanageable. Professor Brown removes the focus from the mother and instead urges society to rethink its attitude towards breastfeeding and mothering and instead to support, encourage and protect mothers to feed their babies. This book is for anyone who has ever struggled with breastfeeding, supported new mothers or just wondered what all the fuss is about. Most of all it is a must read for anyone who has ever thought a breastfeeding mother should cover up, or feed her baby elsewhere.
Buy here.
SUPPORTING SUCKING SKILLS IN BREASTFEEDING INFANTS BY CATHERINE WATSON GENNA
Synopsis – Supporting Sucking Skills in Breastfeeding Infants, Third Edition is an essential resource for healthcare professionals working with new mothers and infants. Using a multidisciplinary approach, it incorporates the latest research on infant sucking and clinical strategies to assist infants with breastfeeding. With an emphasis on skills, it focuses on normal sucking function in addition to difficulties based in anatomical, cardiorespiratory, neurological, or prematurity issues. Completely updated and revised, the Third Edition explores new clinical strategies for facilitating breastfeeding, more conditions, and the latest guidelines. Throughout the text, numerous photos make techniques and recommended strategies easier to understand and replicate.
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Breastfeeding and Medication by Dr Wendy Jones.
Synopsis – This illustrated guide is an essential book for anyone supporting families with breastfeeding. Often, parents worry that they will need to stop taking their medication, or are mislead by well-meaning healthcare providers – or the packaging itself – that says they should cease breastfeeding when using certain medication. Dr Jones' work has been instrumental in guiding families and healthcare providers to what is safe when breastfeeding, and how to balance associated risks for and against taking certain medications. For many families, stopping breastfeeding prematurely is devastating. For others, it is necessary to be able to engage in life saving medical treatments. Having the right information to support these decisions is crucial for making the right decision for their circumstances.
Buy here.