Not about they How's but about the whys

This book is about why you should breastfeed not really how to or schedule, or practical application. I love ina May's books, but this fell flat. The narrator used emphasis and pausing for effect poorly and did not pronounce clinical terms correctly. I learned a little but not anything that will make a difference for me.

5 people found this helpful

extremely comprehensive, but one thing wrong. ..

the bad:
there was one thing I didn't enjoy, the chapters are not labeled with titles so you're really left in the dark regarding which chapters discuss what topics, which makes it hard to reference back to specific information.


the good:
loved this book from beginning to end. the content was fantastic, and informative. This book serves a springboard from which to build a foundation when you're first starting out learning about breastfeeding. she touches on a lot of resources so you can further build and even offers very detailed guidance about latching and any arising concerns. i definitely recommend it to both new mom's & experienced moms.I would venture to even say dads should listen because there's a lot of useful information for them too. I just finished it but will need to go through it a few more times because it's just that jam packed with information.

4 people found this helpful

Very pro-breastfeeding

Enjoyed learning about breastfeeding, showcasing all the benefits of breastfeeding and why it should be a practice to be brought back to the 21st century. Author stance is strongly against formula so may make some mother's feel bad if they do. We live in a world where we do not have the conditions necessary for breastfeeding and formula feeding might have to happen. I understand the author's efforts to bring the practices back to enable higher rates of breastfeeding, but might be unrealistic in this modern world we live in and may leave some mother's feeling guilty about bottle-feeding.

2 people found this helpful

Formula Shaming!

Within the first ten minutes of this book, I heard all the repulsive negatives of formula feeding. Now coming from a family that has never been able to breastfeed successfully, this content was absolutely harassment. As a soon to be mother, I figured I would give it my best try to breastfeed my child so I purchased this book hoping to find some insight on how to start and what to do. As I said before, only ten minutes in, I felt that the book was only here to bash the giant population that could not breastfeed. I am no longer interested in anything this author has to say because I feel that she relaying the message to be very one sided. Would NOT RECOMMEND!

1 person found this helpful

formula shaming don't waste your time. one sided.

I wanted to attempt to breastfeed my second as after having my first I was physically and mentally unable to. first line in the book was breast is best then followed by the harms of formula feeding your child. my son turned out great and without formula he wouldn't have been eating or I would have been even more mentally unstable. don't waste your time find a different book. maybe one that isn't so one sided.

Would be good for a newbie

I got this book because I love Ina May’s other books and I have had some difficulty in maintaining milk supply with previous babies. There wasn’t really anything I hadn’t heard before. So, this is probably a good book for a first time mom, it had little value for me.

Not focused on being a General Breastfeeding Guide

I enjoyed Ina May's Guide to Child Birth so much I only thought it fitting to listen to her Guide to Breastfeeding. I was unfortunately disappointed though. I have always known I wanted to breastfeed my child and I felt the book more tried to talk me into breastfeeding and about women's rights than an actual guide to learn breastfeeding from. I am all for woman's rights and breastfeeding, I was just disappointed to have to sift through the entire book to find only the small relevant information I was looking for.

A great resource for getting context

I found this book helpful to listen to in my first weeks of breastfeeding my first babies, twin boys. I loved learning about the history and biases our culture has as well as techniques and illnesses to look out for.
The only thing I disagreed with in her book was on nutrition. For nutrition I look to Sally Fallon Morell‘s “The Nourishing Traditions book of Baby and Child Care”

Overall I love Ina Mays books for the numerous stories she shares. She is a valuable wisdom keeper from her decades in midwifery.

Incredibly educational, fundamental!

One of the best books ever. Every single person should read this book, specially if you are pregnant, will have a baby, have a baby, or as the father of a baby.
I wish more people knew about this book!

Fantastic!

Simply Fantastic! It is a must read by every mother! Inspirational and very well written!