The American Academy of Pediatrics New Mother's Guide to Breastfeeding

by Joan Younger Meek, Sherill Tippins, American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)

The Breastfeeding Book Your Doctor Recommends

Why is breastfeeding best for my baby? Will I like it? What if it hurts? What happens when my maternity leave is over? Will I be able to use a breast pump? How can I make this work?

The American Academy of Pediatrics, the organization that represents the nation’s finest pediatricians, answers these questions and many more in this invaluable resource to help you and your baby get the healthiest possible start. The benefits of breastfeeding will last a lifetime, for both you and your baby.

Here is everything new mothers need to know about breastfeeding. From preparing for the first feeding to adjusting to home, family, and work life as a nursing mother, this comprehensive resource

• Preparing for breastfeeding before your baby is born

• Breastfeeding benefits for mothers and babies, including the most recent neurological, psychological, and immunological research showing why breastfeeding enhances your infant’s immune system and protects against many common illnesses

• Establishing a nursing routine and what to do when you return to work

• The father’s role and creating a postpartum support network

• Handling special situations, from C-sections to premature births

• Breastfeeding beyond infancy

• Weaning your baby

• Solutions to common breastfeeding challenges

• And much more

Mothers everywhere will find this book an indispensable guide to one of life’s most important decisions.

Genres: Nonfiction, Parenting, Health, Self Help

304 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

Reviews

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

For a new mom or a soon-to-be mom faced with the challenge of forming, as the book calls it, a "strong breastfeeding relationship" with her new baby, this books proves a very informative resource. From the merits of breastfeeding to the challenges of weaning an older baby, the book covers many of the concerns and questions that new moms may have. Of course, if you've already chosen to breastfeed or have breastfed your children previously, the hard sell approach may be unnecessary and even a little off-putting, and the basic information covered in the various chapters may be insufficient. The book provides a great starting point for moms undecided about breastfeeding their new baby, but it doesn't provide as thorough a resource as necessary for more seasoned moms.

The tone of the book is a bit pedantic at times, as well. The redundancy is frustrating, though I can understand that the authors may have anticipated moms skipping from chapter to chapter without giving the book a thorough read-through; the redundancy then fills in gaps that moms might have missed as they jumped around. But some of the anecdotes offered as the frameworks of the various chapters are a bit too cheesy and happily-ever-after. Every problem that a mother might encounter seems to be miraculously solved by -- get this -- more breastfeeding.

But the list of resources, both local/regional and international, at the end of the book might make up for what this book lacks in helpful advice for struggling breastfeeding moms. Other highlights of the book include the chapter for dads/partners who want to be supportive, a list of books to read to siblings to help them better understand breastfeeding, and (my personal favorite) the simple acceptance that teen mothers are among the audience of this book and the response to some of their specific needs (like returning to school while nursing).

Overall, not a bad resource, and certainly worth having on the shelf as a handy reference... even if reading from cover to cover is a bit tedious.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was given this book while I was pregnant with Claire. It has wonderful advice on how to breastfeed, and tips for when you encounter problems. However, often times nurses, friends, and people in the general public push new moms very firmly to exclusively breastfeed. Now, I completely agree that "breast is best", but I just wanted to point out that: Claire was not breast fed exclusively, and only got sick once in infancy. Because one of the points that breastfeeding advocates tell you time and time and time again is that exclusive breast fed babies get sick less often; which is true. But that wasn't necessarily the case for Claire. Maybe if I did breastfeed exclusively, she would never have gotten sick at all!
And, you are not a bad mom if you choose to give your baby formula. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise!

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got a small booklet based on this book from the hospital when I had my second child and I loved it. All the info, none of the hype or weird opinions. Wish I had the full book.

[Tricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a helpful resource for preparing to breastfeed and reference for addressing issues that arise.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short book but packed with information for new moms. Not very in depth but it does provide enough information that you can research further.

[AF · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little repetitive and the scripting of a few scenarios is a bit cheesy, but this was overall informative and a quick read.

[Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too outdated

[James Ruley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book provides useful diagrams and explanations of breastfeeding, but it is outdated in several ways, so I would not recommend it as a resource. In particular, I took issue with its claims about breastfeeding and pregnancy - the book seemed to indicate that one cannot become pregnant while breastfeeding before 6 months, which is categorically false. The assertions about on demand feeding, attachment theory, and the benefits of breastfeeding are also outdated and misleading. Regardless, the technical description and illustrations of breastfeeding were helpful.

2.5/5

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read not only for new moms but moms-to-be. Summarizes how BFing is advantageous to mom and baby, BF techniques, how to handle getting back to work, etc. I thought it interesting that it assumed working moms would need to find/hire a caregiver to take over feeding of the kid; no mention of the potential for a partner to do so. Only a short, redundant chapter for the dads/non-BFing partner.

[Mallory Day · Rating 1 out of 5]

Felt like a lot of this book was either
1. Common sense
2. Stuff I learned at my breastfeeding class
3. Super outdated. (ie all the example babies’ names were names like “Karen” and “Betsy” 🤨)

All in all, fed is best, and this book did not teach me that. It actually made me feel guilty for not having goals to breastfeed until toddlerhood.

[Marlee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Provided good general information about breastfeeding. Would recommend for someone who knows nothing about breastfeeding. Otherwise a lot of information was repeated throughout. I took issue with the book’s assumption that mothers will have 3 months of maternity leave, or even a few weeks at home, before returning to work when that’s just not the reality for most women in the US.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This has some good advice, but the stories are a little sappy for me.

[Allyson || allys.book.corner ❤️ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very informative.

[Ila · Rating 3 out of 5]

10/52 in the reading challenge.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has a lot of helpful information for moms wanting to breastfeed

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit cheesy and just a tiny bit preachy, but it offers solid information and is easy to read.

[Bonnie Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Matter of fact, evidence-based and to the point. All the information and no fluff, which was perfect for me.

[Megan Hochkammer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super helpful as a first time mom. Lots of info learned!! Definitely pushes exclusively breastfeeding (wish there had been more about pumping), but was expecting that.

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

outdated and repetitive but also has good info

[Kristie Marsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This had some really good info in it, I definitely learned some things but at times it came off too “breast is best” for me

[NK92 · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book has some good information, but it constantly says you have to give birth in a hospital, and acts like that is the only safe way (a certified nurse midwife is safe for low-risk births), and if you adopt it implies a sort of "whatever find your information on how to breastfeed elsewhere".

It says you have to use medication to induce lactation as though that is the only way, when I know some women can do it without medication (although not necessarily fully).

They say people use herbal medications elsewhere without any problems, but here in America you need your doctor's permission. Honestly some herbs we all might have in the spice cabinet, and we know to be safe, so I do not see why I would ask my doctor about natural remedies we know to be safe, or know to be safe at a specific dose. Even when I am not sure, there is always easily accessible safety information available on the internet (about double-blind, placebo controlled studies, for instance) or in books (the book Medications & Mothers Milk, for example). A doctor may not know, could be citing an unhelpful source depending on the circumstance/herb (The Physician's Desk Reference, for example), may err on the side of caution & protecting himself, and also may give you an opinion over a fact.

They claim if you take any medication you MUST use a breast pump. You could express if you prefer, and many medications ARE safe for baby through breast milk, and some do not transfer.

If you are a typical modern day parent, or plan to be, this book might be good for you.

If you are considering home birth with a midwife, or a birth center birth, and you only want to go to the hospital if you have a high-risk pregnancy or emergency;

If you are considering a hospital birth with a midwife &/ doula,

if you want to do attachment parenting;

or if you are adopting,

I don't think this book will be very helpful for you. There are also a long list of breastfeeding books better than this one. Ina May's Guide to Breastfeeding, Breastfeeding Made Simple, Nursing Your Baby, & The Nursing Mothers Companion are arguably the best. The Breastfeeding Book is also a good choice.

I liked that they did talk about hospitals who don't support "room sharing," and ones who bottle/formula feed without the parents permission and even against their will, and how to find a hospital that's okay with breastfeeding & room sharing. Although, personally "okay with" sounds pretty risky to me.

I also like that they mentioned washable breast pads.

[Rissy · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most helpful books

[MargaretAnn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of the information I received when I attended the breastfeeding class offered by my doctor's office was in this book - but this just offered the information in more detail (and this book never once referred to my boobs as a breasturant . . . unlike the class instructor, so that's a good thing).

I think it'll be a good reference guide once my little one arrives and I am learning to BF, when I'm trying to introduce a bottle prior to the end of my maternity leave(while still maintaining my milk supply through pumping), or when I'm experiencing engorgement. Good diagrams and pictures - especially related to the various "holds".

Would agree that the stories that start/end each chapter are super cheesy and after reading the first few decided to skip each one and get to the informational parts of the chapters. Also, I skimmed or didn't read sections that don't apply to me (i.e. breast feeding past 1 year old, breastfeeding multiples, etc.).

Overall, would reccomend to women wanting to breastfeed and if I remember, I'll come back and add some thoughts from the other side when I have actually "hands on" experience.

Update: Nearly 9 months into breastfeeding (and pumping breastmilk for) my daughter I definitely consider myself an old pro. This book was an excellent reference in the early weeks when I was concerned about "doing it right" and if she was getting enough milk. I have since referred to it when dealing with thrush, engorgement and blocked ducts and will report that it has provided very good information! I am now going back to read about nursing over one year as this soon will be applying to me and I look forward to nursing my little one as long as it continues to be mutually beneficial and positive!

[Arielle Heath · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pretty good source of information. The AAP backs this book and it seems to have some solid information in it, as well as being plenty encouraging for new moms. The only reason I gave it four stars and not five is that it does get a bit repetitive and seems to recycle the same information in several chapters, which I can understand since the info is relevant to the chapter and moms probably reread different chapters throughout the book as they need to, but it makes reading the book all the way through a bit brain numbing after a bit and you find yourself spacing out after the twentieth time of reading that exclusively breastfeeding should take place up through at least the first six months and is recommended for at least the first year. Other than how it can get repetitive, my husband commented that it made him feel like they were trying to brainwash him into breastfeeding but, hey, it's what the book is about lol. Of course they're gonna be pro-breastfeeding and try to make you too. Overall, a great book for anyone who is considering breastfeeding exclusively and would like solid info and support on the matter.

[Beauty in the Binding · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every pregnant woman has questions about how to care for her soon-to-arrive baby. I'm expecting a baby girl in about three months and my husband has been adamant that he wants me to breastfeed. I wasn't thrilled with the idea, but I had heard about the physical benefits for both me and the baby. After reading New Mother's Guide to Breastfeeding, I am convinced that I do want to breastfeed and that the benefits far outweigh the hassles.

Far from being a book that glorified breastfeeding and made it sound like a walk in the park, New Mother's Guide to Breastfeeding plainly explained the aspects of breastfeeding while emphasizing the benefits. The book's step-by-step approach was very informative and made me feel confident that I can breastfeed my child. It covered a variety of topics and many points that I never even thought to have questions about. I will definitely be keeping this book as a reference tool for when baby arrives.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is good information here. It assumes you are reading the book before your baby arrives. I wasn't. Didn't change the book for me, but I thought it should be mentioned. I only skimmed the early chapters because I had already decided to breastfeed and in fact, was already breastfeeding when I was reading it, but it is very “breastfeeding is best” almost to the point of being obnoxious. Don't get me wrong, I agree that breastfeeding is best and is natural, but not breastfeeding or supplementing with formula does NOT make you a bad parent. Anyway, good, basic information. For what I was looking for, I preferred The Complete Book of Breastfeeding, but that's because like I said, I was reading after my son was born and was looking for more information on some of the small problems we encountered.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm undecided on whether this book is only ok or if I liked it. It was extremely informational, which boosts it's rating for me, but at times it was very preachy about how breast is best. The authors make the benefits of breast feeding very clear so I feel like the continued mentioning of it leads to some stress and guilt if it doesn't work for you or if you choose not to breast feed. overall, it is a good book, but if you're already feeling stress about the idea of breast feeding or not sure if you want to this might not be the book for you.

[Espresso · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been reading this book on and off since my son was born and would recommend it to any new mother.

This book encourages continued breastfeeding despite the obstacles involved with returning to work, to school, and with well-meaning but uneducated family members who think that weening should occur sometimes before leaving the hospital and getting home for the first time.

I also really like the advise on allowing the baby to ween itself sometime in toddler hood.

[Summer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short and concise. I mostly liked it. But I'm still left with nagging questions...how often do I feed the baby at each age? I understand that it's 2-3 hours during the day and no less than every 4 hours at night when they're little, but when do those get spaced out and by how much? And how many ounces of pumped milk to I provide daycare for when I return to work? I can't seem to find answers to these questions.

[Sarah K-W · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I've read on breastfeeding. I will be nursing for the first time in about a month and I feel better prepared after reading this book. It's an easy and quick read, yet covers quite a lot, and is from a respectable source (AAP). I know I'll likely use it as a reference while nursing.