The 14th Carnival of Breastfeeding: What's so funny about breastfeeding?

Welcome to the 14th Carnival of Breastfeeding!  This month we're featuring posts on breastfeeding humor.  Be sure to check out the other bloggers' posts at the bottom of this one.

I'm reviewing two new breastfeeding humor books.  That's right, two books on the humor in breastfeeding have been published in the last six months.  Looks like the universe thinks we need a laugh.  For more breastfeeding humor, check out these past posts!

First, The Breastfeeding Diaries (Meadowbrook Press 2007, 155 pp.) by Kate Davis, a stand-up comedian.  This is a compilation of some of the funniest breastfeeding stories I've ever heard. 

It starts with a story by the author about stepping nude (it was required) into the hot tub at her gym and spraying the other women with milk.  My favorites include a story about pumping during a conference call that turned out to be a video conference call, and (this one just amazes me) a mother whose breast reduction/lip enhancement surgery (yes, they moved it from there to there) goes horribly wrong when she starts to breastfeed.  There are fifty stories in all.  I can't share more without giving away some fantastic punchlines. 

This little book is just hilarious and would be a great gift for a nursing mom who could use a laugh.  I hope that there's a sequel in the works.

Next, If These Boobs Could Talk, (Andrews McMeel Publishing, 2008, 96 pp.) by Shannon Payette Seip, and Adrienne Hedger.  This book is a very clever and wonderfully illustrated ode to breasts.  Actually, it's written for your breasts. 

The book features games (mazes and quizzes), breastfeeding trivia, doodling pages for filling out with you toes while nursing, how-to lists (How to reward your boobs when they produce more milk) and a boob advice column.  It includes drawings depicting bad times to breastfeed (while learning to inline skate, during acupuncture) and instructions on how to hold a Boob Retirement Party. 

One of my favorites is a picture of the "Breastfeeding Circle of Life," which shows a circle of mothers' faces in varying states of distress and happiness.  The captions read start with "This is so difficult!" and "What did these huge rocks do with my boobs?" to "Hmm...this is getting easier," then "I love breastfeeding!" and finally "I don't want it to be over!" before the cycle starts again.

Again, a great gift for the mother who has been there, or who is there now and could use a lift, as it were.

Don't miss these great posts on breastfeeding humor on these other blogs (updated throughout the day):

• Stacie at The Twinkies shares the breastfeeding conversation she fears.
• Andi at Mama Knows Breast shares a dads' nursing in public video.
• Sinead at Breastfeeding Mums shares a pumping multi-tasking disaster.
• Amy at Crunchy Domestic Goddess shares several funny breastfeeding items.
• Carol at Happy Sad Mama shares why she loves to nurse her toddler.
• Angela at Breastfeeding 1-2-3 shares some crazy search terms that led readers to her site.
• Renata at Nurturing Notes shares a weaning story that made me laugh.

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Comments

[Half Pint Pixie]

those books sound great but you've just described my current big worry! We're staying in a fancy hotel in London soon and hubby has booked me a pampering spa, lovely! He also mentioned that there's a sauna etc. there if I want to rest my weary self, but I have visions of the heat setting off my let down, and milk going everywhere :)

[tanya@motherwearblog]

Half Pint Pixie,

Wouldn't it be great if they made 'swim nursing pads' like those swim diapers?

Let's see - what could you do? Definitely a good idea to wear a swimsuit, if it's permitted, and keep 'em below water. I guess it would be good to focus on something completely un-baby like. Golf? ;)

Tanya

[Nola]

I still remember the time I was nursing my son when he was around 9 months. He was eating away when suddenly he popped off, very emphatically said, "ba-ba-ba!", then just kept on nursing. I laughed and laughed and laughed. What on earth did he need to tell me so badly!? I'll never know.

[Half Pint Pixie]

I know in Ireland the swimsuit in the sauna is required, we're very modest/prudish here! Not sure about London, I'm sure it probably is allowed, hopefully :) And think of golf, that sounds suitably mind-numbing!