I recently had the opportunity to read The Essential Guide to Breastfeeding: Everything a Nursing Mother Needs to Know by Marianne Neifert, MD. Although my breastfeeding days are over, I jumped at the opportunity, as I am a definite proponent of “Breast is Best.”
What’s Inside?
- How to prepare for breastfeeding before your baby arrives
- What to expect at the hospital once your baby is born
- Tips & techniques for comfortable, effective breastfeeding
- Solutions for common breastfeeding problems
- Strategies for combining breastfeeding & working
- Healthy lifestyle choices while breastfeeding
- Guidelines for weaning
- An extensive list of resources for breastfeeding information & support
- And much more
Thoughts
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I may not be nursing a child but as I read through this book, I found myself nodding in agreement many times. There are a few sections of the book that really stood out to me and I wanted to focus on those during this review.
Common Breastfeeding Problems
Prior to having children, I remember seeing my friends and family members nurse their children and it looked so simple. Imagine my surprise when my first child constantly fell asleep at the breast. Wait, this can’t be, babies enthusiastically nurse, right? Not always.
Dr. Neifert dedicates an entire chapter to common breastfeeding problems. Some of the topics covered include: sore nipples, latch problems, yeast infections (yes, on your breast), mastitis, supply issues, and much more.
Working and Breastfeeding
Unfortunately, maternity leave in the United States is severely lacking. Most women are allowed to take off six to eight weeks after delivering their children. This separation may discourage some mothers from continuing the breastfeeding relationship. However, Dr. Neifert provides a wonderful and supportive chapter to help encourage mothers to continue to breastfeed, despite the fact that they may need to return to work.
Breastfeeding in Special Situations
The third chapter of the book that really resonated with me is dedicated to breastfeeding in special situations. Dr. Neifert provides information to mothers of infants in a variety of special situations, including (but not limited to), premature infants, breastfeeding twins, triplets, and other multiples, breastfeeding an infant with a cleft lip or cleft palate, breastfeeding a baby with Down syndrome, and breastfeeding while pregnant.
Recommendation
I highly recommend this book. Dr. Neifert, also known as Dr. Mom, is a pediatrician, a mother, a breastfeeding activist, and co-founder of the Denver Mothers’ Milk Bank. Her passion for nurturing the breastfeeding relationship is apparent and this book would make a great gift for any of your pregnant friends.
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