The Seven Standards of Ecological Breastfeeding: The Frequency Factor

by Sheila Kippley

Mothers average 14 to 15 months without menstruation after childbirth when they breastfeed according to the Seven Standards of Ecological Breastfeeding. The author analyzes the research and focuses on the seven mothering behaviors that define ecological breastfeeding. This form of baby care is the gold standard of going for the green. It is eminently healthy for mother and baby and will save parents many times the small cost of this life-changing book.

Genres: Parenting

116 pages, Paperback

First published November 3, 2008

About the author

Sheila Kippley, mother of five, has been active in the natural family planning movement since 1969. Her teaching of ecological breastfeeding for natural child spacing has helped many mothers enjoy a natural form of mothering. She has spoken on the importance of the mother during the early years, natural child spacing, and the spiritual aspects of breastfeeding. Her latest book is Breastfeeding and Catholic Motherhood, and she and her husband are co-founders of NFP, International.

John and Sheila Kippley founded the Couple to Couple League in 1971 for three purposes:

1. To meet the need for a nationwide, independent, and organized way of delivering NFP services;
2. To provide instruction in NFP that includes moral and religious values along with physiological and scientifically accurate information;
3. To train volunteer married couples to be proficient counselors and teachers in a 99% effective method of NFP, and at no cost to those who generously undertake this training.

With the assistance of Konald A. Prem, M.D., then a Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Minnesota School of Medicine, a plan was developed to meet those needs. The CCL concept has proven successful, not only in the U.S., but in countries throughout the world. Each year sees new areas opening up to being served by CCL.

The Couple to Couple League (CCL) is an international, interfaith, non-profit organization dedicated to teaching Natural Family Planning (NFP) to married and engaged couples. It is essentially a volunteer organization because services are provided by professionally-trained volunteers who are supported by a relatively small staff at the international headquarters in Cincinnati, Ohio. Local Chapters of the organization consist mainly of certified Teaching Couples and Promoters, along with other supportive members.

Reviews

[Karin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book should be given to every new mother. It includes concise, clear instructions on ecological breastfeeding. It points out the obvious differences between cultural breastfeeding and eco breastfeeding and uses sound and timely science to back up the safety and wisdom of this method of birth control (or spacing babies). There are some great resources in this book and tons of footnotes. Her voice is easy to read and warm while still being intelligent and direct. It's a super quick read and excellent!

[Katie Marquette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a handy, approachable read confirming my instincts/intuitions about 'natural mothering,' especially in regard to breastfeeding. My breastfeeding experience started out very badly - with a tongue-tied baby who couldn't latch, a bout of mastitis, and A LOT of pumping (exclusively for nearly 2 months). But try-try again and now baby is nursing and I'm following all the advice of this book (granted the 'natural mothering' approach can be very beneficial to bottle-feeding mothers or adoptive mothers - breastfeeding may be the most obvious form of closeness between mother and baby but it isn't the only one). Natural mothering and breastfeeding in this way (on demand / frequently / through the night) are not exactly encouraged by our society and aren't exactly 'easy' - but I think many women will find this approach more enjoyable than they think they will. You'll be surprised how much you DON'T want to leave your baby! Nature knows what it's doing and in the realm of breastfeeding (whether for child spacing/health benefits/a good relationship with your child) doing things as naturally as possible makes for a happy baby and a happy mom.

[Michelle Rogers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall this was a well written and informative book. I have used some of the 7 standards but not all in my previous times of breastfeeding. While I feel I learned a lot about each standard and it's rationale, I don't plan to necessarily adopt all of them in my own breastfeeding, but felt this book was worth the read. As a FertilityCare Practitioner, I still will encourage women to observe for signs of fertility and chart once the lochia decreases after childbirth (starting around 4 weeks postpartum) for an understanding and appreciation of a woman's current health and fertility, even if she is practicing ecological breastfeeding. I do definitely believe that my knowledge on ecological breastfeeding was increased by reading this book. I would recommend this book to those seeking more information on how breastfeeding impacts fertility.

[Marie Marietta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting and informative. Something every mom should read. If you are expecting, good knowledge to have to make informed choices about breastfeeding and whether or not you want to use it for natural child spacing.

[Ariana Seary · Rating 5 out of 5]

God’s design for motherhood is fascinating! This book goes hand in hand with her book “Breastfeeding and Natural Child Spacing”. I recommend reading both to get a substantial understanding of mothering from the natural lens.
Kippley does a thorough job recognizing and sharing about God’s design for mothering the adolescent years in the details of practical life: on breastfeeding, sleeping, health of mom and baby, and overall the spiritual details of sacrificial love for your child— which is all very sanctifying. She essentially makes the case to grow in grace through real motherhood trials rather than substituting your mothering with man-made objects that fill your role.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing! It's a quick read and it is like a wave of convincing facts about how powerful the plan of nature is in a woman's body. It gave me great confidence in myself as a mother. I highly recommend this easy, fascinating read.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very solid information on how to use breastfeeding as a natural birth control method. I actually like her other book better, her first one. It talks more about the philosophy while this one is more practical. Very helpful for anyone breastfeeding

[LLL USA Breastfeeding Support]

Mothers average 14 to 15 months without menstruation after childbirth when they breastfeed according to the Seven Standards of Ecological Breastfeeding. The author analyzes the research and focuses on the seven mothering behaviors that define ecological breastfeeding. This form of baby care is the gold standard of going for the green. It is eminently healthy for mother and baby and will save parents many times the small cost of this life-changing book.