The Nursing Mother's Companion

by Kathleen Huggins

The best-selling The Nursing Mother's Companion , now in its fully-updated fifth edition, will help you get off to a good start and guide you through the early months, covering all the basics of breastfeeding and including easy-reference "survival guides" for quick problem-solving. Since its original publication in 1986, more than 1 million nursing moms have relied on this classic guide. Breastfeeding has major benefits for both you and your baby-- it provides the best nutrition (according to the American Academy of Pediatrics and the World Health Organization), it saves money (on sick-baby doctor visits and formula and bottles), and it creates a unique bond between you and your child. Breastfeeding is not always easy, but with proper guidance and encouragement, you can overcome almost any challenge you may encounter and continue to breastfeed for as long as you choose.

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction, Health, Reference, Self Help, Adult, Family

336 pages, Paperback

First published October 3, 1985

About the author

For more than twenty-five years, Kathleen Huggins, R.N., M.S., I.B.C.L.C., has dedicated her medical career to helping mothers care more effectively for their newborn babies. A registered nurse with an M.A. in perinatal care from the University of California at San Francisco, Huggins has spent the past two decades as a perinatal clinical specialist and board-certified lactation consultant at San Luis Obispo General Hospital in California. During this time she co-directed Breastfeeding Warmline, a telephone counseling service for nursing mothers. Huggins has also worked as a college instructor of fetal-newborn development, and has lead seminars on a variety of topics related to perinatal care and breastfeeding.

Huggins is owner of the maternity store Simply Mama. She is the author of several books on breastfeeding and has sold more than one million copies. She lives in California with her husband and youngest child.

Reviews

[Lisa R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

First you'll use this book when you're pregnant, to gain some breastfeeding confidence and reinforce the "basics".

Then hopefully you'll bring it with you to the hospital, where you and your partner will use it to try out different holds for the baby to get off to a good start with nursing, and to gain some reassurance that it won't always be so painful.

Then you'll take it home with your baby and consult it roughly 8,000 times a day for the first nerve-wracking, sleep-deprived couple of weeks - again, just trying to keep your head above water because you know that breastfeeding is truly the best thing for you and your baby.

Then you might go back to work, and you'll consult this book to get some tips about how to deal with that.

Then you'll get sick and wonder whether or not you can take those over-the-counter drugs, so you'll look in the appendix over and over to see which meds are safe to take.

Then you'll get to that 4 month stage where the baby won't sit still long enough and nurse for 3 or 4 minutes tops, and you'll be convinced he/she is starving.

Then the baby will turn 5 months, and his need to feed will go into overdrive. Again, you will consult the book.

Over and over, this book will be a lifesaver/bible/reference for you if you really want to breastfeed your baby. I highly recommend it and I'm still reading it, and I will be for another couple months, at least.

[Amie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very comprehensive guide that reads like a textbook. Definitely handy for having around to troubleshoot, but not one of the more "fun" books on breastfeeding. For lack of a better word, this book takes a very "medical" approach to breastfeeding, so there are lots of discussions about how many ounces and ml's a baby should be getting and how much weight they should be gaining. In particular, I think the discussions about milk supply and ways to gauge it are fairly overkill for most mothers. Instead of advising counting wet and dirty diapers as well as frequent weight checks, the author advises a very complicated "pump instead of nurse" plan accompanied by a mathematical formula for how many ounces your baby needs and how much you are producing. While this could be an effective and necessary approach for some mothers, I think it should only be used under supervision of a lactation consultant and not for self-diagnosing low milk supply. Many women simply don't respond as well to the pump as their baby so it could lead to unnecessary supplemantation and worry. Overall the information on milk supply seemed like it could be very anxiety producing for a new mother as well as confusing. Other than fenugreek, only standard medical suggesions are included for dealing with lactation problems, so you won't find any of the nystatin alternatives for treating thrush, for example, here.

However, this was one of the few books about breastfeeding that remains fairly neutral on parenting practices like supplemental formula, sleep, and weaning, so I would recommend it to a wider audience than some others. In addition the information on drugs used during lactation is very comprehensive, and the charts in the appendices are very thorough and great reference points for anyone needing quick answers.

[Jann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have struggled to breastfeed both my children. Most of the books that are supposed to help you succeed only succeed in making you feel like total crap if the process isn't picture perfect. This book, instead, has a real-life approach to trouble shooting. The author uses language that is encouraging and helpful. Plus, the suggestions she make really work. This is my go-to book for any breastfeeding problems. In addition to it providing much-needed guidance and advice, it also helps me know I'm not doing anything wrong when I have very typical breastfeeding problems. And really, a little affirmation goes a long way when you're a new mom!

[Shae · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good reference guide, though pretty far down the "breastfeeding or bust" spectrum. Also, very biased toward unmedicated labor and delivery.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would probably have rated this book higher had I not purchased another nursing book as well and had I not also owned a baby book with a really good breastfeeding section. I bought this book because it was touted many places as "the" breastfeeding manual to have. Overall, it is adequate as a guide, although I do think that the author spends more time on some subjects that most mothers will never need and doesn't cover other subjects as well as she should. I started looking over the starting solid food section as my daughter approaches that milestone, and that's when I was appalled. The author advocated a very regimented system - baby must take in this much of this and this much of that every day. The first year of food should be for baby to experiment with taste and texture. No wonder so many people have an unhealthy relationship with food in this country if parents receive advice like this. What really got me, however, was when at the end of this section the author spoke of introducing cow's milk. What?! Isn't this a breastfeeding book? Why would you introduce cow's milk unless you are weaning? (This advice was not in the weaning section.) Overall, if you're looking for a breastfeeding book, I think you can do better.

[Emma · Rating 2 out of 5]

There is some good information in this book, but unfortunately it's buried underneath a range of other topics. In fact, the whole book is a maze of "for more about this topic, see page 250" ... *turns to page 250* ... "for more about this topic, turn to page 62" and on and on until I was flipping between four different chapters just to get a cohesive idea of why my baby coughs a lot while she is nursing and how to help her. It was very difficult to find what I was looking for, and even when I did the information was usually vague. The author spent more time addressing special issues (such as nursing a baby with cleft palate) rather than issues that are probably more common, such as what to do about a baby that keeps falling asleep at the breast. She also repeats herself a lot. There were many times when I would flip through the aforementioned maze only to reread the same sentence. It was as if she had a pamphlet about common issues with nursing, a book about special nursing issues, made a couple copies of each, and then shuffled them together for this book. I'd recommend talking to a lactation consultant about specific questions rather than trying to mine for answers in this one.

[ba · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book advocates for PDF (parent directed feeding) and talks a lot of shit about La Leche's FOD (Feeding on Demand) system. Hilariously, both methods actually are close to the same, once you get past the terminology. Too much of the book is spent attacking La Leche (the milk) and talking about how kick-ass PDF is.

I just noticed that I seem to be the only male who reviewed this book. Weird, huh?

[Mirah Curzer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some helpful tips, but also a lot of information I know to be false.

[Alyssa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book saved my nursing relationship with my daughter at a time when we were really struggling. My supply was dropping, she wasn't gaining weight. This helped me get my supply back up in a very step-by-step way which was exactly what I needed at the time. Perfect for the type-a personality to get away from a measured "How much is my baby eating" to a more relaxed "My baby is eating enough and I don't have to measure every ounce".

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is HANDS DOWN my FAVORITE and MOST RECOMMENDED Breastfeeding book!

It goes in with the tone that you WILL succeed and you will NOT give up, something that mother's need more of! Finally, there is a bit on what to do if you really, truly CANNOT breastfeed (which is extremely rare), so I'd consider it a very well rounded and just wonderful book!


Breastfeeding is HARD and this book answers ALL of your questions with REAL info you can use! It really does cover ALL aspects of breastfeeding, ALL the nitty-gritty!


I was already in love with this book because of the info provided and how it is wonderfully organized, but when Max was a few weeks old and was not gaining weight (1/2 oz per day, as opposed to 1 oz a day) as fast as he should, me KNOWING my milk supply was not an issue (and it is a big fat myth that a mother's milk may not be good enough for her baby....except in the MOST extreme situations, and even then, rarely) was soooo frustrated when Max's Doctors were telling me to quite breastfeeding and put him on formula and told me that I would end up KILLING him if I never put him on formula. Understand, I would have eventually put him on formula if I felt I needed too, but it was not that serious yet and the doctor did NOTHING to investigate the issue further, and that coupled with some other comments he made, made it clear to me he really knew nothing but some outdated material and old wive's tales when it came to breastfeeding. Not to mention the WIC office and the Lactation consultant told me everything was fine.

Anyway, back to how this book saved the day!
I was reading over a chapter I'd skipped on reflux in infants, because Max was not spitting up (something I though babies HAD to be doing to have reflux). Well in it, they descired the normal symptoms of reflux but then also the atypical symptoms and it was WORD FOR WORD everything Max had been experiencing! Green (as opposed to the normal yellow), seedy, slimy poop, a rash on his bottom and constant crying and pulling away!

I immediately got him into the doctor (a different one this time), book in hand, requested an xray, and sure enough, he had reflux! Put him on Reglan and within 19 days he'd gained 28 oz!!! Remember, an oz a day is normal, he'd gained nine extra ozs! To this day, I am still tempted to go to that doctor and tell him what he did to me!


Cannot suggest this book enough, for so sooo many reasons!

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this might be more handy as a reference guide to trouble shoot problems with breastfeeding, but I really liked the specific advice and diagrams for breastfeeding. It's a little crunchy, earth-mothery (ie vilifies epidurals) but I think if you can read around that (unless you are into it!) than there's still a lot of good information in the book!

[Chrisanne]

Not sure if it's really any help at this point so no rating. She covers everything and I mean everything. To the point where I was slightly appalled at the end when she suggested that breastfeeding until 4-years-old, through another pregnancy, was doable. I'd prefer not, thank you very much.

I appreciated her devotion to the topic-- and I understand it. But, as I read about feeding through illness after illness, I got tired. I'm sure that ONE bottle during a bout of the stomach flu or whatever wouldn't kill the baby.

Also, the way the book is set up makes it rather repetitive. So be warned. I don't think it was meant to be read straight through, but jumped around from section to section depending on your concerns.

[Nina · Rating 1 out of 5]

I picked this up because it was recommended by a blogger who had gained my trust, but it turns out to be exactly the stereotype re: blinkered breastfeeding advocacy I’d been working hard to avoid. You know the type: blanket imperatives, curated interpretation of research, and universalized statements that align with the agenda but are misleading if not inaccurate (“supply issues are exceedingly rare”), and no acknowledgment of the real cost of compliance. It reads like cheap, dehumanized indoctrination. Regardless of whether the tips/instructions are helpful (and they’re mostly meh), the tone reads like a middle school hall monitor. Fuck no.

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic guide book for anyone interested in nursing or pumping for any amount of time postpartum. Divided into sections for each phase, it’s helpful to read part of it prenatally and then continue to read new chapters as the baby grows. I’ve already referenced the “survival guides” and how-to sections many times in the last three weeks, and have many pages bookmarked for quick reference. It also has helpful guides in the appendix of how much babies should be eating based on size, graphs on expected weight gain, and a detailed list of OTC drugs and their safety during breastfeeding. A must read for anyone who plans to breastfeed.

[Denise · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this because it was recommended as the best book for nursing mothers to be. However, there is a fairly large bias in this book regarding breastfeeding. It may make mothers who do end up using formula or breastfeeding minimally feeling bad. Nonetheless, it does have some useful information in it in terms of addressing a lot of different topics surrounding breastfeeding. It also does a good job of separating time periods (first few days post-birth, first week, first few months, etc.).

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book contains very practical, useful information for anyone seriously attempting to breastfeed. It is written as a reference book, for the mother to look up information as questions or problems arise. It is not meant to be read cover to cover, but I did anyway even though much of the text is redundant. I checked this book out of the library and read it to see if it was worth purchasing. My conclusion is that it is worth purchasing as a reference source. The book contains a lot of advice about building up your supply, pumping, supplementing with formula, and feeding multiples.

However, it saddens me to say that the author's bias and agenda showed through. I really wish people could discuss topics such as this without politicizing or preaching about the subject matter. I wish the author stuck strictly to breastfeeding, but she also used this book as an opportunity to express her personal opinions on other topics, such as bed sharing. While I agree that breastfeeding is the preferable choice when it comes to the health and well-being of the infant, I do not agree that formula is a poor substitute. Formula has saved many lives, and it's value should not be discounted. Also, I do not agree with the implication throughout this and other books that breast feeding is the only way to truly and completely bond with your infant. Any and all interaction with your infant can be a bonding experience for both of you, regardless of whether he suckles at your breast or from a bottle. There are many women, more than most breastfeeding advocates care to admit, that are not able to produce enough milk to feed their infant. I do appreciate that this book gives practical guidelines to supplementing breastmilk with formula, but the author doesn't seem to accept the fact that for many this is not a short term situation. The author references vague statistics about breastfed infants being healthier than formula fed babies, having less developmental issues, etc. However, it is worth noting that many of these studies are not conclusive. They were survey style studies. The results are simply not as conclusive as those of studies of controlled groups. There were many variables in addition to to method of feeding that are not taken into account. It is irresponsible, in my opinion, to claim that formula fed babies are sick more often or are slower developmentally. There is no concrete evidence that that is the case.

If you are able to put aside the agenda and bias of the author, this book can be a very useful tool to new mothers or mothers who had previously attempted and failed to successfully breastfeed their infant.

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of all the parenting/birthing books I've picked up during pregnancy, this one by far gets the most technical/clinical. And, all right, it's written by a nurse who's a MAJOR proponent for breastfeeding so, yeah, a bit judgmental for anyone who DOESN'T think breastfeeding is the greatest thing ever. (I'm trying to keep that fact in check because I know from hearing several new moms' stories that frustration over breastfeeding can be a slippery slope to postpartum depression if you're not careful).

I'm determined to give breastfeeding my best shot, and I'd heard good things about this book, so I certainly can admit I wasn't disappointed in the wealth of information to be found in it. (Actually, more like OVERWHELMED.) In all honesty, this isn't a book to read in a short sitting -- it's one to buy if you are a mother who gets a good start breastfeeding and then wants a great resource to check in with their progress along every step of the way.

I think breastfeeding is one of those things that, as much as you can try to mentally prepare for it, you just have to DO IT to have any real grasp on the topic. Wish me luck!

Website to reference: www.nursingmotherscompanion.com/resou...

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fine reference. We each have our own unique relationships with breastfeeding as we raise our babies, and I received a few good tips to work through my own small woes. I was surprised, however, at the emphasis the later chapters placed on how to troubleshoot through the disapproval some women receive when they breastfeed "too long" (my own daughter turns one month old tomorrow, and I cannot say when we will wean, but I do aim for the one-year mark at a minimum, if biology allows it)--suggestions included hiding it and keeping it a secret, and I would think, perhaps, suggesting how to vocalize a celebration of that relationship would have been more appropriate for this book. Perhaps I am too used to the more militant voice of Henci Goer or encouraging voice of Ina May Gaskin.

[Lesley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Glad to see a 7th edition is being published this year because I found this edition to be outdated in parts.

A bit of caution:
I am reading this before giving birth, but if I was reading this while struggling to breastfeed, I might get frustrated. There is one line among 200+ pages that supports women who end-up not breastfeeding, "If you have given nursing your best, but finally end up having to bottle-feed, you have not failed as a mother," and it does not match the tone of the rest of the book.

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty decently well-organized and a lot of fairly detailed tips for various situations. If you're the slightest bit prone to parental anxiety or guilt though, probably best to skip the "why breast is best" section, it's a bit over the top. The activism bleeds through in the rest of the book as well (I'm skeptical that breastmilk really has that significant long-term benefits over formula, especially after the first 6 months) so maybe for the weaning sections, just take what's useful from it and leave the insistent worshipful fervor for breastmilk behind.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must read for all breast-feeding Moms. I used this book at all times. Do consult with your pediatrician, however. The author makes a couple of statements that just aren't true (particularly about introducing solid foods). Also, ignore the parts about how long you should breast-feed if you don't plan on nursing your kids through adulthood. Ha ha!

[Lisa]

Very helpful, although biased in favor of attachment parenting. My least favorite line can be paraphrased like this, "you can do any number of things to manipulate your child into sleeping through the night if you are willing to deprive them of their natural need for human contact." And who is accusing whom of being manipulative??

[Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think while breastfeeding, this book was a bit of a cheerleader, but besides keeping me going, some of the advice was a bit unrealistic. When I finished, I felt like I wasn't living up to the women that truely commit to breastfeeding and I breastfed my son until he was 10 months old! Good reference book for things that may come up, but you have to be in the right mind set to read it.

[Conchita · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, together with the Kellymom website were invaluable for me with my first child. I successfully breastfed my daughter (as a working mom) through 13 months and this book was a great resource.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative, but at times outdated, and at times willfully omissive of other options. There's no need for some of the propaganda if your position is already strong and well supported. This was especially true of more tangential beliefs of the holistic parenting community (i.e. co-sleeping).

[Antoinette Maria · Rating 2 out of 5]

A lot of the information in this book is sound, but there's something about this book that doesn't feel empowering to women.

[The Rainbow Zee · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book on breastfeeding--better than the one published by LLL. Easy to read and relate to, helped me nurse for 2 years!

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little preachy and willing to make you feel guilty if you decide not to breastfeed. But lots of good information if you don't succumb...

[Maureen · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read this book after seeing it recommended as the most useful breastfeeding guide. I really wish I hadn't. It was judgemental to a terrifying level, highly critical of anything other than exclusive breastfeeding and unmedicated birth (two things which cannot be controlled, as the real life experiences of so many women will testify). It's packed with very dubious statistics about the dangers of formula milk, obviously designed to scare/guilt trip the mother into not using it. But the line that made me want to throw the book across the room was the one that suggested a new mother won't immediately fall in love with her child if she gets an epidural. Vile, irresponsible emotional manipulation which in my opinion shouldn't be allowed to be printed and targeted to women at the most vulnerable stage of their lives. New mothers deserve better.

[Meghan Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was… fine… Some issues with tone, but in general this was much more realistic for modern American life than some others. It pointed toward helpful videos and resources. I did find it funny that at several points it quoted Dr Jack Newman and and several others it directly contradicted him - just my little snark enjoyment.

From all the contradictions in the various books on newborn care and breastfeeding, I’m reaching this conclusion: there is no one BEST, RIGHT way to do most things and even if there is, the fact that lifelong experts disagree on what that is means the difference between best and not isn’t often monumental. Or even measurable.

I’m probably concluding my reading on breastfeeding, but will likely revisit Ina May’s guide in the run up to due date or shortly thereafter.