What to Expect From Breast-Feeding

by Clare Byam-Cook

The only book on breastfeeding that won’t make you feel guilty if you can’t.

This comprehensive guide covers all the information you need to breastfeed your baby successfully, and gives practical, sympathetic advice on how to feed your baby well if you can’t.

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book ever for expectant mothers planning on breastfeeding. Note: study it before baby arrives! This was my bible for all my babies, each baby fed differently. This book gives you the confidence required to breastfeed if it’s what you really want to do. Any problems I encountered with breastfeeding were dealt with in this book. Also, it doesn’t pressure you to breastfeed if your body or your baby can’t do it (many examples) so you don’t feel like you’ve failed. Highly recommended maternity read

[Emma Schiller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall very helpful to have guidance and instructions on things that don’t come naturally. Be aware some of it is outdated; she talks about giving water to babies but medical guidance now is that is not advised. As a working mom boss I didn’t love the part about accommodating your husband’s work schedule that you may not want to involve him at night at all. It assumes women don’t go to an important workplace too.

[Elisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book very useful as it’s written in an informative and non-judgemental way. Also, I’d recommend to read this book before baby’s arrival. Then, If mums find themselves really struggling with this area is best to get 1:1 in-person practical guidance on their specific circumstances.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book as it really doesn't make you feel bad if breastfeeding just doesn't work for you. I would have given 4 stars but I found parts of it repetitive. I did like: different conditions of breasts as well as the baby, not feeling guilty about formula if necessary, and the vital importance of a correct latch, that some boobs just produce more or less and it's not because you aren't trying hard enough.

I think there is some advice that is a little old or perhaps just something I don't agree with...I.e. giving a little water to lengthen feed times. I did appreciate that she didn't like dummies either for the main use you see in town, which is a dummy to shut a kid up. Though she does advocate their use to determine if your baby is hungry or just wants to suck, which is interesting as it can stop the baby from just using your nipple as a dummy.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, until I actually start breast-feeding I won't be able to vouch for everything Clare writes, but certainly the way it's been written deserves at least four stars. Though she is very pro-breast-feeding and she is adamant that the vast majority of breast-feeding problems are down to the baby not latching on correctly and CAN be resolved, she does also talk about bottle-feeding and the ultimate message is that a baby who is breat-fed even only for a short period is better off than a baby who has not been breast-fed at all.
For the record, this book came highly recommended to me by two friends of mine (who have already put it into practice).
I will also bee looking into books (not her own!) recommended by Clare on weaning and parenting toddlers.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

At least it acknowledges that you might not be able to - we'll see how helpful it ends up being!

[Scarlet · Rating 2 out of 5]

I seem to remember it relied a lot on formula and bottle feeding for a book on breastfeeding.

[Iuliana Naughton]

Very helpful!