The Nursing Mother's Companion is the breastfeeding book I read when I was pregnant.
I distinctly remember reading it while sitting in a rocking chair in the newly set up baby's room (little did I know that this was going to be them most underutilized square footage in our house). At some point I recall yelling to my husband in another room, "Hey, this is going to be a lot of work!" I also referred to it for information on how to pump at work. And I'll never forget showing my husband the picture of a mom with engorged breasts, and saying, "Um, I think I look like this."
This book is celebrating its 25th anniversary, and is now out in a 6th edition. I have the pleasure of offering 3 copies of it, as well as a new breastfeeding diary, to readers of this blog. See the end of this post for information on how to enter to win.
Here's what I really like about this book: It's organized in a way that makes it really easy to find the information you need. And since you usually need information quickly, and often in the middle of the night, the organization of the book is really valuable. I'm also a very 'cut to the chase' kind of reader, and while I enjoy and learn from personal stories, I wanted a book that focused directly on the things I needed to know. The survival guides in this book fit the bill.
What's new in this edition? There is an updated and expanded pumping section with guidelines for a good flange fit, updated references including suggested links to some good sites, mentions of kangaroo care, biological nurturing, dysphoric milk ejection reflex, vitamin D, and the inclusion of the WHO growth charts in the appendix. What's missing? I would have liked to see a mention of posterior tongue tie in the tongue tie discussion, and the drawn illustrations which show moms with hairstyles and clothes that are badly in need of an update.
The new Nursing Mother's Companion Breastfeeding Diary is a companion to the, um, Companion, and is intended to help moms keep track of feedings, pumping, and supplementation. I approached this book with a little skepticism because I worry sometimes that tracking can cause more problems than it solves (as I wrote about another breastfeeding log book), but I have to say that I like this diary a lot. The chart which the mother fills in has the usual "input" and "output" fields (though by day 55 I think most of us would do anything than record poop). But what makes this book really valuable is the guidance on each page. There is great information for each stage of breastfeeding here, provided day by day as you go along. The opposite page provides space for recording thoughts and observations. It has a nice stay-flat design, and parenting quotes on each page, and I think it would make a nice keepsake. A ribbon bookmark would have been a nice touch.
And, importantly, it ends at two months. That, I think, encourages us to ditch the pen and paper take the full leap of faith that breastfeeding is working, however it's working.
To enter to win one of three *sets* of these books, leave a comment below by October 25, 2010. One entry per person, U.S. addresses only. Winner will be chosen using random.org, notified by email, and announced in the comments section. Book will be mailed by publisher. Please note: Winners who do not respond to email within 3 days forfeit prize, and alternate winners will be chosen. Disclosure: I received a review copy of each of these books from the publisher.
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