What is the best breast feeding book for new moms?

Question

I want to get my wife a book on breastfeeding for christmas, since our first is due in April. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

I agree with the other answers, and I'll add one I didn't see mentioned- "So That's What They're For" by Janet Tamaro. The information is great, and it's a good read.

Answer 2

Hands down, Dr Jack Newman's book. It is "Dr Jack Newman's Guide to Breastfeeding" in Canada, and "The Ultimate Breastfeeding Book of Answers" in the States.

It cuts through no amount of BS, in nice plain words ("Do not listen to such nonsense," etc). It's an enjoyable read with top-notch information.

http://drjacknewman.com/ can give you some idea of his style.

I've read a LOT of breastfeeding books and what-not, and found errors in almost everything (the one exception was the La Leche League book, "The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding," which is good but not as good) else but Newman's book.

If you get "a free one when the baby is born," throw it out; it will be written by a formula company, and will not help your wife and new son or daughter have a good time of nursing. I'm in the middle of a letter to the hospital administrator where I gave birth to complain about the one I got; it seems like it might be accurate on first glance, but if you really followed the advice, you could easily run into problems. It also makes breastfeeding look unnecessarily complicated and restrictive (can't have a drink, etc -- totally untrue), which is the complete opposite of the Newman book...

I completely second maegs33 on "Mothering" (see http://mothering.com/ ) being a good magazine, too.

Answer 3

I completely disagree with Mewclaw. Being armed with information is one of the MOST important factors in successful breastfeeding. They will give you a book when you leave the hospital but that is often too late to get a good start with the breastfeeding process. The first hours are so crucial to establishing supply. I read the American Academy of Pediatrics New Mother's Guide to Breastfeeding. It is awesome!! Please get this for your wife. With the information she finds in this book plus your support, she will have such a good chance for a successful and positive breastfeeding experience. Here is the link where you can order it:

http://www.aap.org/pubserv/breastfdbook.htm

Congratulations!! It sounds like you are going to be an excellent father! Breastfeeding is the absolute best start for your baby.

Answer 4

I absolutely love The Nursing Mother's Companion Guide, by Huggins. I received it as a gift, and now I give it out as a baby shower gift all the time. I have purchased probably 20 copies. No other book is as clear, useful, and well organized. Whenever I had a problem, issue, or concern, the book had a clear answer. I cannot recommend it more highly.

(The free book suggested above is not helpful, it only covers high-level basics. Cookie, Child, Parent, are all magazines that accept formula ads and often contain misleading advice. If you want a magazine, Mothering is a better option. )

Answer 5

I've breast fed 3 babies and no book will do her any good, however you could get in her n touch with a le leche league person so she can relate with other moms. A better gift is a nice breast pump for to use occasionally and letting her take a nap or go out with her friends while you "nurse" the baby with the expressed breast milk. It will bring you an baby closer and your wife will absolutely appreciate the break!

Answer 6

You'll probably get a free one when the babys born. The best thing I would recommend is go to a Le Leche meeting even before the baby, or a class.

Otherwise, get her a digital photo frame, you'll be taking so many photos you'll run out of wall space. Another awesome series of books is Dr. Karps Happiest Baby on the Block, and Happiest Toddler on the Block, and the best present ever would be for you to memorize them.

Also a book by a Dr. Perlmutter - How to Raise a Smarter Child/IQ by kindergarten is great, and talks about the early benefits of breastfeeding and nutrition. Plus has infant and toddler actitvities.

Other ideas would be a mag subscription to something like Cookie, Child, Parents, etc.

Answer 7

http://www.amazon.com/Womanly-Art-Breastfeeding-Seventh-International/dp/0452285801/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2/105-4038303-0113216?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1194387408&sr=8-2

http://www.amazon.com/Breastfeeding-Book-Everything-Nursing-Through/dp/0316779245/ref=pd_bbs_sr_5/105-4038303-0113216?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1194387451&sr=8-5

Those two are probably the best books on the market.
Good luck with your new little one!