Breastfeeding books

Maddie&EthansMom wrote: I didn't have any breastfeeding books when I was nursing Maddie and I would like to know if you all have any recommendations for me. I like to read ahead so I will be prepared as much as possible. With Maddie I was clueless and didn't BF her very long. I think it would have been different had I know there were resources out there (other than my mom telling me what to do)

~TIA~

coasterqueen replied: Here is a link on recommended books and (not) recommended books. Just scroll down a bit to get to the BF ones http://www.kellmom.com/bookstores/goodbadbooks.html

BTW, I have a few at home. I know I have "So That's What THey're For" by Janet Tamaro, which is great and I have another, but can't think of the name off the top of my head. I would be more than happy to let you borrow them if you don't want to buy them. Just let me know

coasterqueen replied: BTW, I LOVE your avatar!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

kimberley replied: i just used the resources from "What to expect in the first year" and kept LLL on speeddial lol

coasterqueen replied:
in my honest opinion I really think that book does more harm for those trying to bf than it does good. Not trying to "bash" you or anything Kimberly. I just think it has a lot of misinformation in there and I know if I would have listened to it I probably wouldn't be bf now, lol. Especially what it says about when you should feed babies solids, etc.

But keeping LLL on speedial is great!

Hope I didn't offend you

Maddie&EthansMom replied:

Thank you! I still love taking pictures of her sleeping. She looks so peaceful and sweet.

Thank you for offering to let me borrow your books. I would be afraid something would happen to them. I will check out the website....thank you for your recommendations.

coasterqueen replied:
Oh no problem. I'm that way too, I'd be afraid of what Kylie would spill on them, lol. But the offer is still there if you change your mind. I bought them used on ebay so they aren't in the new condition anyways

As far as BF diet, I think you can eat just about anything. Just remember wait awhile before trying to lose weight, let your milk supply get well established and you can safely lose 1 to 2 pounds a week, no more

Dr. Hale's book on what meds you can take while BF is an awesome book! I personally don't have it but know a few people that do. I'm thinking about purchasing it someday because it really is a life saver!

kimberley replied:
no offense taken! i always went by my ped when it came to introducing solids etc and by her advice waited and made my own food. i nursed both the boys until they were 13 mos old so i guess with Jade, i go more by experience than any book. and i was an APer from the start, i fed on demand, co-slept and really only took the information i found appropriate or helpful to heart.

in regard to diet while BF, it was different with every baby i had. Jade is super sensitive to everything i eat. she gets really gassy if i eat green veggies. but the boys were ok with them. james reacted a little when i ate really spicy food. and jacob didn't have any reaction to anything.

good luck!

coasterqueen replied:
I figured you didn't use that book as gospel LOL. YOu definately have more experience than I have for sure which is better than ANY book for sure. I just had to post my opinion on it or I wouldn't have been able to live with myself, I'm a dork that way sometimes.

After I educated myself more, I realized that I only needed to pick and choose what was helpful out of that book. I just have some friends who did some things they wished they hadn't etc by using that book

CantWait replied: Dr. Sears is great. I heard he's got a breastfeeding book, although I haven't read it.

Schnoogly replied: My fave is Dr. Mom's guide to breastfeeding. It covers some situations that other books don't--like how to pump for a baby in the NICU--which I appreciated. Plus it's really fair--she understands that there are situations where the baby needs to be supplemented and isn't as rigid as some other books. The author is Marianne Neifert (a pediatrician)

MommyToAshley replied: I do that with all books too. I remember getting so frustrated by all the "experts"... they never seemed to agree with each other, which just made things more confusing. LOL

Kirstenmumof3 replied: Well there wasn't a book that I used but there was a video that I borrowed from the public library called "The Art of Successful Breastfeeding" I found it to be very helpful. It had a lot of information, suggestions and I liked it because you could see the women using the different breastfeeding positions. Hope this helps.

MommyToAshley replied: I was thinking about you and I wanted to mention that you might also want to ask your LC for any pamphlets or information they have to offer. I remember getting tons of things from the LC at our hospital. The little pamphlets were more helpful to me than some of the books on the subject. And, again, they were a quick and easy read... which is what you will need once the baby arrives.

Maddie&EthansMom replied:

that is such a good idea! That is one thing they did not offer last time I was in the hospital. I think I will have a better experience this time. I don't think the nurses in post partum knew much about breastfeeding. They kept trying to get me to give her sugar water and I refused. I wanted to try, but didn't feel as though I was getting the adequate help I needed. I will be at a much better hospital this time so I am praying for a better experience..

Thank you all for your suggestions. I will take a peek at these books and I agree with the picking and choosing what we get out of them. I would just like some resources when times get rough.