"Everything you need to know to make breastfeeding a joyful, natural, and richly fulfilling experience for both you and your baby"
Drawing on h... read full description
Drawing on h... read full description
reviews
Jul 23, 2011
Jasmin
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This was such an excellent book! I highly recommend it to any pregnant woman (even if they aren't really considering breastfeeding), any new mother struggling with breastfeeding, and to anyone who is generally interested in breastfeeding or the incredible abilities of the female body (husbands, doulas, doctors, midwives, and everyone else).
As an expecting mother, I was excited to see this book at the bookstore after I had just finished reading Ina May's guide to childbirth. I love Ina More...
As an expecting mother, I was excited to see this book at the bookstore after I had just finished reading Ina May's guide to childbirth. I love Ina More...
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Nov 05, 2011
Elana
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highly recommended to anyone who is breastfeeding, thinking of breastfeeding, or wants to know why there are people who think breastfeeding is a big deal. also recommended to people like me who are curious about why Ina May G. is considered a big deal. now i get it. Ina May rocks.
Update - Ina May is coming to speak at the U of M later this month! She has a new book called Birth Matters. Hooray!
Update - Ina May is coming to speak at the U of M later this month! She has a new book called Birth Matters. Hooray!
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Mar 18, 2010
Sarah
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I loved Ina May's other book so I was interested in this one, though the how-to parts were a bit boring to me seeing as I've already nursed three kiddos. But I did learn some new things, and I loved the last few chapters that talked about nursing in our culture and other cultures. As with her Guide to Childbirth, there are personal stories by other women and great pictures to supplement the writing. I think this would be a worthwhile book for any mom hoping to breastfeed.
Jul 07, 2011
Helena
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I'm working on becoming a LLL leader, and read this as part of that process. As usual, Ina May presents excellent information clearly and in a way that is easily understood. Some of the information was review (if you've read The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding, you already know much of this information), but I learned some new things as well. Definitely worth reading if this is a topic that interests you, or if you just enjoy Ina May's work.
Oct 04, 2009
Inder
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This was released on a Monday, I received it on Friday (Amazon pre-order), and I finished it Sunday. As a how-to manual, it's not my favorite (my favorite is Nursing Mother's Companion, but I love love love the anthropological background and all of the discussion of shared nursing arrangements, relactating, our society's "nipplephobia," etc. Good stuff.
Also, Ina May is refreshingly moderate about breastfeeding and weaning - unlike Dr. Sears and others, she resists slavish d More...
Also, Ina May is refreshingly moderate about breastfeeding and weaning - unlike Dr. Sears and others, she resists slavish d More...
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Jun 16, 2011
Doreen
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Oh, thank God for this book. Unlike the plethora of manuals that purport to aid breastfeeding mothers but don't, this book actually delivers relevant, helpful advice without a condescending, disrespectful attitude. Even when I disagreed with the advice, I didn't feel talked down to. Highly recommended for anyone interested in breast-feeding.
Feb 05, 2011
Ashley
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I wish I had skipped all the other baby books and just read Ina May's Guides to Childbirth and Breastfeeding. These are the most thorough, well-written books on the subject by someone who clearly has the experience to help you with any possible challenge. The only downside to Ina May's books is that they will make you a know-it-all on the subjects in them, and I know nobody wants to sit around and listen to me prattle on about breastfeeding all day now that I feel like such an expert :)
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Dec 06, 2010
Nathalie
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I've read all her other books through the years - what a living treasure she is! Can't wait to get this one!
Finally bought this in preparation for the new babe, and I'm skipping around a bit. Just finished the chapter on "Shared Nursing, Wet-Nursing, and Forgotten Lore" - one of my friends at school had mentioned to me how she and her friend used to share nursing duties of their two children when they had to care for them, which intrigued me. The part about grandmothers nursi More...
Finally bought this in preparation for the new babe, and I'm skipping around a bit. Just finished the chapter on "Shared Nursing, Wet-Nursing, and Forgotten Lore" - one of my friends at school had mentioned to me how she and her friend used to share nursing duties of their two children when they had to care for them, which intrigued me. The part about grandmothers nursi More...
Feb 17, 2010
Teeni
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If I had to recommend just ONE book for childbirth AND breastfeeding both, this would be it. And I've read most of them. For anyone who wants to breastfeed, this book does an exemplary job of explaining how decisions made in childbirth can influence your success at breastfeeding. I liked this so well I bought it.
Feb 06, 2012
Tabitha
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I love Ina May--just to be clear on that...and I absolutely love all the statistics in this book ...
I will not get on my soapbox about American priorities here--but lots of other countries sure do prove the US govt has skewed priorities...
This is a book I will definitely be buying...
I will not get on my soapbox about American priorities here--but lots of other countries sure do prove the US govt has skewed priorities...
This is a book I will definitely be buying...
Sep 19, 2011
Olivia
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I do love Ina May's books, but as a practical guide, this is not so great. A lot of it is "mothers on The Farm have no problems breastfeeding because it's magical here". Not so useful if you're not on The Farm. I'm still looking for a great breastfeeding guide to recommend to clients.
Jan 01, 2010
L.e.
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And again, anything she writes I will love. I am about 75% through with this book. Not only has it helped me as a pediatrician giving new mothers advice and tips about breastfeeding but it has been very comprehensive and easy to read. I'll let you know if it actually helps me breastfeed!
Sep 09, 2011
Shandus
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This is a must-read for any mother interested in breastfeeding. I love that it's not just a how-to manual, but it also includes a great deal of anthropological discussion on why breastfeeding is often seen as a taboo topic in modern culture. Even my husband wants to read it now!
Dec 26, 2011
Maire
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I love Ina May and while this is well written and useful I felt there are better guides out there (Bestfeeding for example). Felt it could have done with more photos of positions and latch etc. Definitely worth a read.
May 06, 2010
Kathryn
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Really a guide to newborns, with breastfeeding as a theme. Encouraging, enlightening, as non-judgmental a hippy midwife on a commune is going to be. The theme: nurse your baby. It's just a good idea.
May 10, 2010
Michelle
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What a great read for advice on breast-feeding, as well as some really interesting views on breast-feeding in our nipplephobic (!!) society. This was interesting even if you're not breast-feeding!
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Aug 24, 2011
Miranda
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Amazing, superlative guide to everything you could possibly want to know about breastfeeding successfully. Covers a variety of situations - not a one-size-fits-all approach! Great stuff!
Sep 12, 2011
Jasmyn
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I thought this was really well-written, up-to-date information on a variety of topics relating to breastfeeding. Good tips for starting out, when to get help, etc. Of course it's hard to explain things like latch without seeing a demo of it, but she does a good job and the illustrating stories are good.
Apr 13, 2011
Addie
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almost everyone in my family breastfeeds/has breastfed their babies, but no one ever told me even half of the information in this book. enlightening and encouraging!
Jan 05, 2011
Trina
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This book made me realize how little I knew about nursing. Embarrassing as I had been pseudo-advising new mothers on it. Very empowering book.
Aug 04, 2011
Breeana
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Lots and lots of info! Sometimes a bit too much... but I guess it covers everything, which is what a good "guide" should do anyway. :)
Jul 26, 2011
Alyssa
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Great overview of breastfeeding and pumping. Really liked and used the chapter 'Problem solving during the first week'
Nov 12, 2011
Amanda
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Very informative. Some parts more in depth than what I needed, but well written and easy to understand.
May 08, 2011
Tina
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AWESOME book a must read for anyone having a baby, regardless of if they have decided to breast feed or not!
Jan 25, 2011
toshia
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Perfect. Concise. Will live on the table next to my nursing chair for the next year, I'm sure.
Aug 20, 2010
Margaret
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Both thumbs WAY up! Anybody who is committed to breastfeeding her baby, or wants to support a new mother, should read this wonderful book. I never knew how challenging breastfeeding was until I tried doing it myself. I had so many questions! Thanks to Ina May I had excellent information that helped me and my (incredibly healthy, happy, thriving, confident) babe navigate the steep learning curve.
Oct 30, 2011
Bookgal
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The only thing that put me off a bit were the first few chapters which focused so much on the "evils" of formula feeding. I picked up a book on breastfeeding, because that's what I wanted to learn about not ranting of formulas.
Otherwise, the book is very informative and a great resource and help.
Otherwise, the book is very informative and a great resource and help.
Feb 03, 2011
Janis
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Really good resource and covers many interesting topics of breastfeeding.
