Disappointed in breastfeeding book

yurmom · December 2011

I borrowed the book "The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding" by the La Leche League because so many of the bumpies raved about it, but I didn't realize it was so anti-medicalized birth. I plan on getting an epidural and so far the book's been pretty fear-provoking and biased. Several examples:

1. It lists sources for help with breastfeeding, and basically they identify the only reliable source as a La Leche League Leader. I think that's pretty biased.

2. It describes OBs as experts in complications of pregnancy and birth but may have little experience with natural birth. My OB has been in practice 26 years....I can guarantee she's been through her share of natural births.

3. It compares birth to putting on a turtleneck sweater....come on..

4. I HATE the quote they put in saying "If a friend tells you how she 'loved her epidural,' ask her how her first month of motherhood went." I think this is insinuating complete crap and is a sh!tty thing to say. I have a close friend who went through a horribly painful natural birth and still had a very difficult first month and a very difficult time breastfeeding. She went to 3 or 4 breastfeeding support groups a week. I also have friends who had an epidural who had great success breastfeeding right away. I think it just depends on multiple factors.

5. As for formula, it states to possibly choose a different pediatrician if you even SEE formula cans in their office.

That's just a few, I wasn't expecting this, more just a helpful book on breastfeeding. I'm hoping it gets better but it's really put me off. Anyone know of any books that aren't so damning regarding "medicalized" birth?

britglenn9 · December 2011

wow, thanks for the info, i had considered purchasing this.. any idea what might be a good book for BF-ing?

kmhunt11 · December 2011

Not a big fan of La Leche League. I know the individual groups vary widely, but my personal experience was not positive. We had to supplement with formula for the first couple weeks because DD was losing weight at such a rapid rate. We didn't give it to her in a bottle (syringe with a little tube), and stopped as soon as we could. We had no problems after the first 3 weeks. Anyway, LLL made me feel like the scum of the earth because of the formula supplement. If you don't buy their whole platform, they don't seem interested in associating with you.

kmhunt11 · December 2011

britglenn9:
wow, thanks for the info, i had considered purchasing this.. any idea what might be a good book for BF-ing?

In my personal experience, nothing I read helped prepare me. The childbirth class I took helped a little, but you really can't grasp it until you have functional boobs and a newborn. I recommend lining up a lactation consultant. Don't count on the ones at the hospital. They're hit or miss as far as helpfulness, and can get too busy to help everyone effectively.

DoraBride07 · December 2011

Not a book, but check out KellyMom online. That website is pretty good for advice, and I don't recall it being biased.

speckledfrog · December 2011

kmhunt11:
In my personal experience, nothing I read helped prepare me. The childbirth class I took helped a little, but you really can't grasp it until you have functional boobs and a newborn. I recommend lining up a lactation consultant. Don't count on the ones at the hospital. They're hit or miss as far as helpfulness, and can get too busy to help everyone effectively.

How do you go about lining up a consultant?

LenMont · December 2011

I will second the Kellymom website. I also found lots of supportive, helpful tips on the breastfeeding board here. The one thing I had that was invaluable, though, was my friend Emily. She was the only person I knew that I was close with who had had a successful bfing experience and I referred to her as my personal La Leche League. She answered all my questions, never made me feel like I was doing the wrong thing, etc. If you can find one person to use as your "go to" for questions...you'll be in great shape. I have since been that person for a few different people (including my hairdresser since she was so young and didn't have any friends who had bf'ed!!). Moms who have struggled with bfing and eventually figured it out are usually more than willing to help new moms.

greengirl0909 · December 2011

kmhunt11:
Not a big fan of La Leche League. I know the individual groups vary widely, but my personal experience was not positive. We had to supplement with formula for the first couple weeks because DD was losing weight at such a rapid rate. We didn't give it to her in a bottle (syringe with a little tube), and stopped as soon as we could. We had no problems after the first 3 weeks. Anyway, LLL made me feel like the scum of the earth because of the formula supplement. If you don't buy their whole platform, they don't seem interested in associating with you.

I just wanted to echo the idea that individual groups vary, because I love my LLL group and have always felt supported. They do encourage exclusive breastfeeding, but I've heard our leaders support supplementing when a mom is struggling with low supply.

As far as the book goes, I read several different books, nothing that sticks out in particular. None of them did I read and agree with 100% and think, okay here it is my parenting doctrine.

The LLL book does have lots of good information and is excellent when troubleshooting breastfeeding problems. At the beginning of every meeting my leader says this is like a buffet, take what works for your family, and leave the rest behind.

SCSmithbride · December 2011

This is the book I have and I loved it when I was pregnant with my first. I recently passed it on to a FTM IRL friend of mine that was getting some horrible breastfeeding advice from her co workers.

Complete book of Breastfeeding

regs19 · December 2011

i swear breastfeeding is made so difficult by people like this. i had a hard time in the first week getting my daughter to latch. it was AWFUL. i never even opened my pump or had any formula bc i honestly just though 'i would breastfeed' i never even thought it might not work. you have to be realistic, even with the best intentions, *** happens. i am planning on breastfeeding again but i am more aware of the issues that may happen and will be ready whatever does and am definitely NOT going to beat myself up over it! i dont think any book is going to help you too much bc there is no preparing yourself for the real thing until you just do it! good luck!

JustMomZero · December 2012

As a mother of five, I almost spit out my salami sandwich in laughter when I read your stupid post. LoL thanks for the laugh! And sorry you had so much trouble breastfeeding. Maybe you should ask your doctor how to do it? giggle

Lanatir · December 2012

JustMomZero:
As a mother of five, I almost spit out my salami sandwich in laughter when I read your stupid post. LoL thanks for the laugh! And sorry you had so much trouble breastfeeding. Maybe you should ask your doctor how to do it? giggle

Holy zombie thread, Batman!

Also, you don't sound very sympathetic towards those having difficulty breastfeeding. I want to know who has all this free time on their hands to create AEs and go through such old threads...

BitsKD13 · December 2012

Lanatir:
JustMomZero:
As a mother of five, I almost spit out my salami sandwich in laughter when I read your stupid post. LoL thanks for the laugh! And sorry you had so much trouble breastfeeding. Maybe you should ask your doctor how to do it? giggle

Holy zombie thread, Batman!

Also, you don't sound very sympathetic towards those having difficulty breastfeeding. I want to know who has all this free time on their hands to create AEs and go through such old threads...

I was wondering the same thing. God AE you must be really bored.

Want a personalized experience?

Disappointed in breastfeeding book

Re: Disappointed in breastfeeding book

Choose Another Board

Search Boards