Breastfeeding Made Simple: Seven Natural Laws for Nursing Mothers Kindle Edition

I knew I wanted to breastfeed my first child, but was scared to death. I didn't have any close friends or families who had recently breastfed and people I did talk to scared me about it (it hurts, too much work, etc. Another army wife who had just PSCed to Alaska, texted me the title of this book before she had her baby and I'm so glad she did! I went to Borders (when it was still around obviously) and was amazed at how many breastfeeding books there were. To be honest, I almost didn't buy this one (even with the recommendation from a friend), but I'm so glad I did. I bought this one and another and I haven't even looked at the other one! This had everything I needed to know. It was a very easy read; it provides all the information you need to make the right decisions for you and your baby. It is not judgemental at all (I've sent it to a couple pregnant girlfriend who were on the fence about breastfeeding and after reading the book, they felt way more informed and were excited to try!) I would recommend reading the book BEFORE giving birth (like you'll have time to read afterwards..hah! It was SO helpful to me, especially when I got really sick and had to go to the hospital for surgery when my son was only a month old. I couldn't breastfeed him for a few days and was devastated that he had to drink formula. Without my pump and the advice and guidance in this book, I'm sure I would have dried up and thrown in the towel. But my son is only a month away from his year birthday (a year was my goal) and I'm happy to say he hasn't needed any formula since I was discharged from the hospital. Highly recommend this book to all expecting mommies!PROs:-explains how milk supply works (not intuitive-I feel a lot of women wouldn't "dry up" sooner than they wanted if they knew this info)-explains how babies are naturally hard-wired to breasfeet (human milk for human babies)CON:-in the version I have (earlier version, pink cover), there's no index (not a problem if you're reading it through beforehand but would be nice to consult after you have the baby and don't have time to look for info)

Of all the breastfeeding books I have read, which may just have been about all of them out there throughout my 5 pregnancies and births, this is the book that truly helped me understand what is going on between my body and my baby and what I can do to help myself and baby through the transition from pregnancy to successfully breastfeeding.This book is so full of knowledge and help for the new mom learning how to breastfeed and how to deal with common challenges, as well as the genius ways nature has set the whole breastfeeding thing up for success if we clue in. Not only is it great for first timers, I learned massive amounts from reading it with my 3rd. It was full of ah-ha moments and helped me through many challenges, as establishing breastfeeding has always been the hardest part of giving birth for me.This is the one and only book that I have read that enabled me to address my problems at home and with confidence. It was a fabulous education on breastfeeding in general, but I especially appreciated the new-to-me information on infants reflexes and how to work with them and not against them, which I had been doing; it helped me figure out a way to get baby latched on well better than any nurse ever did; and it helped me get through those first challenging 6 weeks of engorgement, nipple pain, round the clock breastfeeding, etc.It explains the physiology of your body and baby's body and brings so much understanding of the whole process of breastfeeding that it dispelled much of my anxiety. I was so relieved to read of the reason for the unceasing nursing when it seems like baby just isn't getting enough. I know that I am not the only mom that has worried that maybe I am just not producing enough and might need to supplement. It was such a comfort to read that this is baby's way of ensuring enough milk production, and not necessarily a lack of milk. It also gave the signs of baby truly not getting enough milk. Such a relief. Knowing that feeling like a round the clock human pacifier was only temporary and would ensure that I would make enough for baby's next growth spurt made it bearable.There are just so many gems that I found in this book, I can't say enough good things about it. I now give a copy or recommend it to all my expecting friends and family. It is the best and most helpful book on breastfeeding I have ever read.