The 11 Best Books About Breastfeeding To Guide You Through Every Nursing Challenge
Are you about to welcome your first born to your family? Have you decided that you would like to breastfeed your new baby? Then you need the best books about breastfeeding to help guide you! I’ve put together a list of essential breastfeeding books that provide practical advice and tips for rewarding and successful breastfeeding. From books about latching techniques, to stories from other mothers’ experiences, there is something here for everyone. Whether you are a first-time mom or an experienced one, these books will be your go-to source for breastfeeding knowledge. So read on and find the perfect book to help you on your nursing journey!
11 categories of books about breastfeeding
Overall best breastfeeding book
Breastfeeding basics for first time moms
Breastfeeding and working moms
Dads supporting breastfeeding
Breastfeeding twins
- Troubleshooting breastfeeding problems
Breastfeeding premature babies
Breastfeeding and pumping
Increasing breast milk
Breastfeeding after breast surgery
Judgement free breastfeeding
The 11 best books about breastfeeding
The Positive Breastfeeding Book: Everything you need to feed your baby with confidence by Amy Brown
Overview
The Positive Breastfeeding Book is an evidence-based guide that empowers new moms to confidently breastfeed their babies. Real stories, personal anecdotes and expert guidance help mothers understand how breastfeeding works, cope with the first week and early months, seek help when needed, and feed in public. The book also includes handy chapters on formula and mixed feeding, and provides information on introducing solids and ending the breastfeeding journey.
Highlights
Teaches fundamental basics of every breastfeeding stage
The chapters are laid out in such a way that it is very easy to find information you want
Comprehensive, evidence-based, non-judgmental information that guides expertly through the benefits, challenges, and joys of breastfeeding
Empowers readers to find support and continue breastfeeding
Filled with confidence, knowledge, and pure love for breastfeeding
Why I love this book
I think it’s fair to say my breastfeeding journey would have been very different without this book! The author, Amy Brown, has a fantastic way of communicating practical and evidence-based information in a very accessible way with facts and encouraging stories. An essential nursing mother’s companion, this comprehensive book that covers everything from feeding preemies to multiples to troubleshooting and beyond – every nursing mother is bound to enjoy the easy style of this fantastic book.
Breastfeeding Made Simple by Nancy Mohrbacher
Overview
Nancy Mohrbacher is a renowned author and lactation consultant. Her books are popular among parents and professionals worldwide. She has been helping nursing families since 1982 and was awarded the Fellow of the International Lactation Consultant Association in 2008.
Breastfeeding Made Simple is a comprehensive guide to help new and expectant mothers understand the basics and develop a healthy breastfeeding relationship with their first baby. It covers topics such as comfortable feeding positions, milk production, overcoming obstacles, breast pumps, and transitioning to solid foods. The book is based on the seven natural laws of breastfeeding and offers solutions to common breastfeeding challenges and difficulties such as low milk production and weaning difficulties.
Highlights
Provides practical and easy-to-read information on breastfeeding
Covers all areas of breastfeeding, including expressing milk and common breastfeeding challenges
Gives reassurance and guidance on the biology of breastfeeding and the 7 “rules” for success
A must-have book for those planning to breastfeed or already doing so
Contains excellent quality and detailed advice.
Bottom line
Overall, this book is highly recommended for moms who want to get to grips with breastfeeding basics. It provides practical and useful information that can help moms understand the process of breastfeeding and overcome common challenges.
Working and Breastfeeding Made Simple by Nancy Mohrbacher
Overview
Working & Breastfeeding Made Simple is a practical guide written by an international breastfeeding expert that explains how to control your own experience with pumping and milk production. The book includes evidence-based insights on how milk is made, pumping strategies that can increase milk yields, and tips from working women. It provides the essentials you need to reach your personal breastfeeding goals, no matter your work setting or whether you stay close to home or travel regularly.
Highlights
Evidence-based insights on exclusively pumping breast milk and milk production
Tips from employed mothers providing the wisdom of hindsight
Strategies for increasing milk yields by nearly 50%
A helpful resource for working mothers, regardless of work setting or travel schedule
Includes information on baby’s needs by age, breast pumps, storing and handling milk, transitioning from maternity leave to work, and troubleshooting.
Bottom line
With evidence-based insights, practical advice, and real life stories from many women, this book provides the new parent with the essential information and support needed to successfully balance motherhood and a career. I highly recommend it to any working mother who wants to reach her personal breastfeeding goals.
The Birth Guy’s Go-To Guide for New Dads: How to Support Your Partner Through Birth, Breastfeeding, and Beyond by Brian W Salmon and Kristen Brunner
Overview
This guidebook, based on the author’s Rocking Dads childbirth course, offers practical tips and advice for expectant dads and birth partners to prepare for childbirth, breastfeeding, and beyond. Unlike other more limited parenting books, it covers everything from packing for the hospital to maintaining a strong relationship with your partner before, during, and after birth, and provides insights on how to navigate unexpected situations. This book is a must-read for any dad-to-be who wants to support their partner and be an active participant in the care of their child.
Highlights
Provides valuable information for expectant fathers to feel confident and engaged in their role as parents, including what to expect during pregnancy, labor and delivery, and the postpartum period.
Written with an inclusive tone that welcomes all types of families and birth partners, regardless of gender or sexual orientation.
Practical advice on how to strengthen the relationship between partners and how to support each other emotionally during the challenging times of labor and postpartum depression.
The author’s personality comes through on every page, with a compassionate and humorous approach to sharing his extensive knowledge and experience as a birth doula.
Recommended by pediatricians, obstetricians, gynecologists, and other experts in the field of childbirth, who agree that it is a must-read for any expectant father who wants to be an active and supportive partner to nursing moms in the journey of parenthood.
Bottom line
This book empowers and guides expectant dads and birth partners with practical, evidence-based advice on pregnancy, childbirth, and early parenthood, while also emphasizing the importance of emotional support and relationship building.
Mothering Multiples: Breastfeeding & Caring for Twins or More! by Karen Kerkhoff Gromada
Overview
This book by Karen Kerkhoff Gromada, IBCLC, published by LaLeche League International provides invaluable information on breastfeeding and attachment-style parenting for mothers of multiple babies. The book addresses concerns such as the risks of multiple pregnancies, avoiding complications, caring for fussy babies, and the challenges of caring for toddler multiples.
Highlights
Provides comprehensive information on breastfeeding multiples, including what to expect in the first few weeks, how often to feed, and how to pump and store milk.
Offers support and guidance for preparing for early arrivals and prolonged stays in the NICU.
Encourages and empowers mothers to exclusively breastfeed their multiples, despite negative attitudes from some healthcare professionals and societal norms.
Provides tips on managing household tasks, getting enough sleep, and other mothering tasks while breastfeeding multiples.
Written by a veteran La Leche League Leader, this book is a must-have resource for any mother of twins, triplets, or more who wants to breastfeed.
Bottom line
This book is an invaluable resource for parents of multiples who want to breastfeed, offering practical advice and support on everything from preparing for early arrivals to managing household tasks.
The Ultimate Breastfeeding Book of Answers by Jack Newman, M.D., and Teresa Pitman
Overview
Dr Jack Newman is a Canadian pediatrician and breastfeeding expert who runs the International Breastfeeding Centre in Toronto. He has traveled the world, worked in Africa and Central America, and has been a consultant for UNICEF and the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative.
Teresa Pitman has written for various magazines on topics such as birth, breastfeeding, and parenting. As a long-time La Leche League Leader, she co-wrote the 8th edition of The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding and has been invited to speak at conferences around the world. She is a mother of four and grandmother of six, and resides in Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
The Ultimate Breastfeeding Book of Answers is a comprehensive guide that provides practical advice to help mothers overcome their fears, doubts, and concerns about breastfeeding. The book covers a range of topics, including achieving a good latch, dealing with sore breasts and cracked nipples, ensuring your baby gets enough milk, and breastfeeding premature or adopted babies. This guide is suitable for mothers at all stages of their breastfeeding journey, from pregnancy to weaning.
Highlights
Provides effective solutions for breastfeeding problems that other books do not cover, making it a “must-read” for all first-time mothers.
Covers a wide range of information on problem-solving, from starting out on day one with your newborn to breastfeeding into the toddler years.
Well-written, easy to understand and follow, making it a clear and informative reference for sleep deprived breastfeeding mothers.
Provides well-balanced and researched recommendations, making it a reliable source of information.
Includes all-purpose breast ointment recipe, which can be a life-saver for mothers with soreness and eczema.
Bottom line
This book comes highly recommended as a resource for new and experienced mothers who want to learn how to breastfeed. It provides comprehensive information on breastfeeding issues, practical solutions, and clear explanations of medical facts in a well-written and easy-to-understand format. For more information about breastfeeding problems and how to fix them read my blog post here.
Breastfeeding Special Care Babies by Sandra Lang
Overview
“Breastfeeding Special Care Babies” is a comprehensive guide that covers all aspects of breastfeeding, including lactation, positioning, milk supply, drugs, breast conditions, and problems. It focuses on feeding vulnerable babies and alternative methods of feeding, with new material on instinctive breastfeeding, positioning, and attachment.
Highlights
Provides detailed tips and practical, evidence-based answers to breastfeeding problems faced by new mothers of premature babies and those with latch issues.
Highly recommended by professionals in breastfeeding support services.
Helps new parents to understand the basics of breastfeeding, lactation, positioning, attachment, milk supply, and breast conditions, and their resolution.
Contains new and expanded material on non-nutritive sucking, sore and cracked nipples, areolar massage, and breastfeeding and HIV.
The practical and clear language, along with helpful illustrations and photographs, makes it easy to understand and follow, even for those who are too tired and emotionally drained.
Bottom line
This book is a comprehensive resource highly recommended guide for new moms with premature babies or any mothers experiencing difficulties with breastfeeding. With practical, evidence-based solutions to common breastfeeding problems, it provides nurturing and helpful advice for both moms and healthcare workers.
Work. Pump. Repeat.: The New Mom’s Survival Guide to Breastfeeding and Going Back to Work by Jessica Shortall
Overview
Jessica Shortall is a writer, former Director of Giving for TOMS Shoes and mother of two. Her viral posts on breastfeeding and working parenthood have been featured in major publications, and she has given keynote speeches at events such as SXSW.
This book is a guide for working, breastfeeding mothers on how to navigate the challenges of exclusively pumping their milk while returning to work. It provides practical advice on negotiating pumping schedules with colleagues, exclusively pumping breast milk, managing business travel, and problem-solving in various situations. Drawing on personal and other working mothers’ experiences, the book offers moral support for dealing with the stress and guilt of juggling motherhood and work so you don’t have to choose between working and feeding your baby breast milk.
Highlights
Real and practical tips to navigate the realities of pumping and being a working and breastfeeding mom.
Preparation for work trips, conversations with HR department, and setting realistic goals for success.
Provides relevant advice on establishing/keeping milk supply while pumping.
Detailed checklists and clear instructions on how to pump in public and/or strange places.
Boosts confidence in breastfeeding and pumping decisions, leaving you to decide what’s best for you and the baby.
Bottom line
This book is a must-read for moms who want to pump and express breastmilk. It provides practical tips and advice from other moms that can help them navigate the challenges of balancing work, pumping and breastfeeding. A breast pump is an important bit og breastfeeding kit – learn about which other breastfeeding essentials you need for your nursing journey here.
Making More Milk: The Breastfeeding Guide to Increasing Your Milk Production by Diana West and Lisa Marasco
Overview
“Making More Milk” is a practical guide for every breastfeeding mother who struggles with low milk supply. Written by leading lactation consultants and endorsed by La Leche League International, this updated and expanded edition includes new chapters on pregnancy and birth issues, foods and nutrition, and alternative therapies. The book offers effective strategies for making milk based on cutting-edge discoveries, helping mothers learn about their bodies, identify the underlying causes of low milk supply, and find targeted methods for making more milk in various special situations.
Highlights
Breaks down the mechanics of breastfeeding and explains complex issues in an easy-to-understand way
Offers effective solutions for low milk supply issues, including targeted methods for specific causes
Provides valuable information on pregnancy and birth issues, foods and nutrition, and alternative therapies
Includes helpful graphs and is a great resource for lactation support persons and lay people alike
Highly recommended by satisfied readers who successfully overcame low milk supply issues and found it to be a crucial part of their successful breastfeeding experience.
Bottom line
Endorsed by La Leche League International and written by leading lactation consultants, the book offers effective strategies and innovative ways to maximize milk production and address underlying causes of poor supply.
A Practical Guide to Breastfeeding After Breast Reduction Surgery by Genna Marie Davis
Overview
This guide by Genna Marie Davis is a practical and easy-to-read resource for new mothers who have undergone breast reduction surgery and want to breastfeed their baby. It includes tips and techniques for problem-solving common issues, along with extensive resources and video links, answering questions about successful breastfeeding, preparing for nursing, low milk supply, weight gain assessment, prescription drugs, herbal supplements, and more.
Highlights
Provides reassurance and information for women who have had breast reduction surgery and want to breastfeed their babies.
Offers easy-to-read, practical advice and tips for overcoming common breastfeeding issues after reduction surgery.
Helps women prepare for nursing before the birth and provides an overview of what to expect after birth.
Provides a comprehensive list of prescription drugs, natural and herbal supplements to increase milk supply and flow, with pros and cons for each option.
A fast and informative read that is a great starting point for women wanting to breastfeed after breast reduction surgery.
Bottom line
This book offers easy-to-read, practical tips, and techniques to overcome common issues, along with extensive resources and video links. The author’s personal experience and expertise make this guide an invaluable tool for successful breastfeeding after breast reduction surgery.
Latch: A handbook for breastfeeding with confidence at every stage by Robin Kaplan and Abby Theuring
Overview
Latch is a comprehensive guide to breastfeeding that helps new mothers overcome challenges and feel empowered throughout their breastfeeding journey. Written by an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant, it covers the most pressing topics at each stage of breastfeeding, including establishing successful breastfeeding early on, breastfeeding through lifestyle changes, and weaning your baby/toddler from breastfeeding. The book also includes breastfeeding stories from new moms, breastmilk storage guidelines, and additional resources for breastfeeding support.
Highlights
Easy to read with great illustrations and tables making it easy to follow.
Takes a non-judgmental stand when it comes to your decision to breast or bottle feed and for how long.
Devotes a chapter to pumping, introducing solids, and transitioning from breastfeeding.
Includes lactogenic food recommendations to increase milk supply.
Covers common breastfeeding issues, such as cracked nipples, elastic nipples, engorgement, plugged ducts, thrush, mastitis, and latching issues.
Bottom Line
Latch is an informative and comprehensive guide to breastfeeding that empowers new mothers by covering a range of topics, from establishing successful breastfeeding to weaning. The book is easy to read and non-judgmental, with helpful illustrations and tables, and includes personal stories from other breastfeeding moms, lactogenic food recommendations, and troubleshooting tips for common breastfeeding issues. There are so many pressures on moms and plenty of parenting myths to contend with, so Latch is the perfect resource for moms wanting to make informed decisions about breastfeeding.
Why breastfeeding books are helpful
Reading books about breastfeeding is a great way for parents to learn more about the process of breastfeeding and build confidence. Books provide detailed information about the advantages and challenges of breastfeeding, as well as tips on how to ensure that it is a successful, enjoyable experience.
They can also offer insights into identifying signs of hunger in a newborn, understanding proper latch technique and providing advice on how to keep up a good milk supply.
Conclusion
The best breastfeeding books discussed in this post provide valuable information, advice, and support for new mothers. From evidence-based guidance to personal stories and experiences, these books cover a range of topics related to breastfeeding. Reading breastfeeding books can help mothers navigate the challenges and myths surrounding breastfeeding, gain confidence, and make informed decisions about their feeding choices.
Final thoughts
Breastfeeding is a fantastic way of nourishing and bonding with your baby. Many moms want to breastfeed but finding the advice and support specific to both you and your baby’s needs can be challenging. I hope you find a book in this post that really helps guide you through your specific circumstances! Happy nursing moms!
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