Ever think about the words of wisdom you take from parenting books you read? Quick, identify the authors of these: "Sleep begets sleep." "The fourth trimester." "You can't spoil a baby."* These simple phrases can echo in your head for years.
Breastfeeding Made Simple (New Harbinger Publications, 2007) shares this kind of wisdom in the form of seven "natural laws" to guide mothers in breastfeeding.
The authors, Kathleen Kendall-Tackett and Nancy Mohrbacher, distill the world of breastfeeding information down to the basics with phrases such as "babies are hardwired to breastfeed" and "more milk out equals more milk made." This focus on these laws makes this book notably different from other breastfeeding books, and a very effective companion for nursing mothers.
Breastfeeding Made Simple is also distinctive for its anthropological focus on mothers and babies. I don't know of any other breastfeeding books that focus as much attention on the topic of babies' instincts and the importance of skin-to-skin contact. And I'm sure I've never read a breastfeeding book which discusses our infant feeding practices in the context of other mammals. This intellectual tone is not for everyone, but for mothers who are inclined toward, or at least open to exploring, attachment parenting, this book is a treasure trove of fascinating information.
When I read breastfeeding reference books I look for two things: accurate information, and organization which allows mothers to find information quickly.
The information presented in Breastfeeding Made Simple is comprehensive, current, research-based, and even incorporates fascinating new research about "baby led breastfeeding." The authors also discuss broader topics such as the political factors which "interfere with the laws," and postpartum depression.
While Breastfeeding Made Simple is organized well, it does not have an index. Since many mothers use reference books to search for answers to problems as they are experiencing, I do feel that this is a significant omission in an otherwise outstanding book.
* Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child (Weisbluth); The Happiest Baby on the Block (Karp); The Attachment Parenting Book (Sears)
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