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Infant feeding

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Original poster

Has anyone read the book 'What to Expect When You're Breastfeeding...And What If You Can't?'

39 replies

Dragonhart · 26/04/2007 20:37

Is it any good? Want to buy my dsis a book as she is preg and as I had afew problems at the start with bf thought a book like this would be really good.

If it is not, any other recomendations would be gratefully received!

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WigWamBam · 26/04/2007 20:40

I haven't read this particular book, but The What To Expect ... series is rather prescriptive, and a lot of the breastfeeding information in the other books is incorrect. So I wouldn't hang too many hopes on this one being any good.

Original poster
Dragonhart · 26/04/2007 20:42

Didnt know there was a series. Will have a look on Amazon!

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mummytosteven · 26/04/2007 20:43

other thing I have found with this series is that it was originally written for the US, so that even the UK versions seem to veer more towards the US system (very different to ours, paediatrician rather than HV/MW based).

JaneAustenAllegro · 26/04/2007 20:47

Don't think this one is part of the "What to Expect" series. It's written by Clare Byam-Cook. I've not read it but I believe she gives some controversial advice about routines, topping up with formula, etc.

I liked Bestfeeding

Original poster
Dragonhart · 26/04/2007 20:47

Dont think it is part of that series as it has a dofferent publisher to them.

thi s is the one I am talking about

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Original poster
Dragonhart · 26/04/2007 20:47

crossed post Jane!

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FrannyandZooey · 26/04/2007 20:47

The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding is pretty good in general on bf

Original poster
Dragonhart · 26/04/2007 20:49

That does look good too Jane. Thanks will look at that too.

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Original poster
Dragonhart · 26/04/2007 20:52

I cant find a recent copy of that one Franny. Would worry about giving her and older book as the advice re weaning etc might be wrong?

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FrannyandZooey · 26/04/2007 20:59

Good point dragonhart although LLL are always pretty laidback about weaning

and AFAIK have been following the WHO guidelines from the beginning

FrannyandZooey · 26/04/2007 21:01

this latest edition is from 2004

Original poster
Dragonhart · 26/04/2007 21:07

Thats loads better. The one I was looking at was from 1991. Not sure when the guidlines came out (my ds1 was only weaned spring of 2006) but would feel good about giving her one done by the LLL.

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FrannyandZooey · 26/04/2007 21:12

I always think that old editions of basically sensible books will be fine, but when you actually read them you realise they are full of madnesses. NQC pointed out that my copy of "Our Bodies, Ourselves" (fab long running feminist health text) has a chapter on menstrual extraction and one on astrological birth control

whomovedmychocolate · 26/04/2007 21:13

I have - if you want to pay postage you can have my copy.

Original poster
Dragonhart · 26/04/2007 22:39

Was it that bad?

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Twinklemegan · 26/04/2007 22:56

I don't think it's one of the What To Expect series. I had the What To Expect pregnancy one (agree they're quite US orientated) and this breastfeeding book bears no relation to it in any way. It's just a coincidence of titles.

Someone from Mumsnet recommended it to me when I was having real problems. Unfortunately it came all too late, but I wish I'd had it from the beginning.

terramum · 26/04/2007 22:59

If its an LLL book I wouldnt worry about outdated weaning advice tbh as they have been advising "middle of the first year" for 50 years

amijee · 27/04/2007 09:32

it's good for background info but some of it made me feel like i was abnormal - like it was saying they shouldn't feed more than 3 hrly by a certain age and my ds was always a 2 hrly feeder.

So for a reference, yes. For reassurance - no.

whomovedmychocolate · 27/04/2007 10:36

Dragonheart - no I found it invaluable. Was about to give up when I read it, am still breastfeeding now, six months later. I just like to recycle

EllieKthePA · 27/04/2007 10:40

it has been read and highly recommended by many of the 'Due in April' thread

Original poster
Dragonhart · 27/04/2007 20:27

Right, now I want to get her 3 books! Will have to drag my ass down to the book shop and look at them all I suppose!

Thanks for all the advice. Very helpful. xxx

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Original poster
Dragonhart · 27/04/2007 20:28

oh and thanks whomovedmychoc, would def have taken you up if it hd been for me, but want to get her a spanking new one for her spanking new baby!

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Smittals · 29/04/2007 10:31

Know I've arrived a bit late on this thread but just wanted to say that I was hating every minute of breastfeeding when I first started due to it being so painful and awkward, but found this book really comforting and full of good advice. I've recommended it to a couple of pregnant friends! I also like the fact that it gives full non-judgemental advice on bottle feeding so doesn't contribute to the guilt load if your sis ends up going this way. The advice on formula top ups is to do with working out whether your boobs are supplying enough, IF you're concerned, then it gives advice on how to build up milk supply. Seemed very reasonable as I was rereading it this morning - and I've been BF for 5mths now! Also shows that the BF advice on latch & positioning from the government is bolloks - 'nose to nipple' my a*se!!!

tiktok · 29/04/2007 16:27

Nose to nipple is certainly not bollocks - it is one way of helping ensure the nipple goes into the top of the mouth rather than the centre. The way it is disparaged in this book is very misleading - you don't offer nose to nipple when the baby's mouth is wide open, for instance, and you don't poke the nipple at the nose.

Original poster
Dragonhart · 29/04/2007 19:47

Tiktok, am I right in saying that you know quite a lot about bf? I have noticed that when people have problems with bf they tend to mention you. Would you not recomend this book then? If not what would you recomend instead? I found that the baby whisperer book was really helpful, but I know that not everyone agrees with routines for bf. DS1 settled into a routine by himself very quickly but dd2 was a bit slower as she was smaller. Fed on demand for longer with her. (Having said that I obviously still feed her when she is hungry, no matter what the time!)

Smittals, I have to say that I like the idea of non judgmental advice. There is such a lot of guilt associated with bf/or not. Mind you it was the guilt that got me through the pain at the start with ds1, so I suppose it is not all that bad! After one terrible night where I just couldnt bring myself to latch him on, I would have given up but for the help of a brilliant bf councillor in our area. As it was I bf for nearly 8 months. I suppose that the best advice I can give her is to keep the number of her bf councillor near the phone!

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