I need a "Breastfeeding for Dummies" - style book, please recommend!

[AhickeyfromKenickie]

I BF-ed my DD but that was nearly ten years ago, and I can't remember anything! LO is due in 3 months and I'd like to try BFing again, if possible.
I'd rather not see a breastfeeding counsellor this time as BFing to me is a private, intimate thing between me and LO, I don't want a stranger grabbing my boob again and shoving it into LO's mouth! What I need is a really good book that explains all the basics with lots of clear pictures, any suggestions? I looked on Amazon but there's hundreds, didn't know which one to pick! Help?

food of love by kate evans
worth its weight in ebm

but a bfc should NOT grab & shove, should be hands off

loads of good stuff on kellymom. com too.

good luck.

Agree with SPB, also The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding

Bestfeeding. Lots of lovely clear pictures, quite detailed but not too detailed to bore you.

I love the womanly art but it's quite wordy.

Ultimate Breastfeeding Book of Answers -- jack newman, was great.

Womanly Art of Breastfeeding. COvers everything and is actually really practical, despite the lentil-weavy name.

Ina may Gaskin Guide to Breastfeeding and Food of Love by Kate Evans

And GOOD LUCK!!!

Leonie I can't ride a bike !!!
Well that's narrowed it down a bit, thank you very much everyone!

Another vote for Womanly art of Breastfeeding, my bible for feeding 2 of them.

I'd deffiantly recomend reading kellysmom website has lots of usefull information.

Plus if you need to see a BFC this time round make sure it's one of the charities BFN, NCT or LLL they are all train on the hands off appoarch so no grabbing boobs. It's midwifes that still seem to do that.

I think "Womanly..." won that vote, so I've ordered that from Amazon.
I thought it was just typical me (as a very private and discreet person) obecting to counsellor taking hold of my boob, duh! The things you learn on mumsnet!

Breastfeeding counsellors rarely even touch mothers and babies - real breastfeeding counsellors, that is

Speaking for myself, I don't think I have ever touched a mother, and I only very occasionally touch the baby, maybe moving a waving hand out the way, and only ever asking the mother first...so you're safe, hickey

This was a lady sent round by the HV. I'd never even seen anyone BFing and had DD in totally the wrong position, councellor just grabbed my boob and plunged it into DD's mouth! But I was 21 and stupid, and thought "well, she must know what she's doing."
I feel like Joey from that episode of Friends when Chandler put him right on how tailors measure trousers properly

Food of Love (Kate Evans) fan here, too. And, for a more weighty read, Ina (rhymes with 'vagina') May Gaskin's Guide to Bfing.

Yes, Food of Love by Kate Evans. Lovely cartoons and generally down-to-earth approach. It's informative and well-researched but very, very easy to dip in and out of.

I think Kate Evans' book will meet your 'dummies' requirement better than the one you've bought, OP. In any case, it's a great, fun read, and I think she thoroughly deserves lots of lovely money through huge book sales. Clever girl for writing it. I couldn't have done it - can't draw for toffee.

I love the picture of the "milk-drunk" baby

Ooh, don't recall that one, Stealthy. I love the fact that every single mum in the book looks absolutely knackered!

Definately Kate Evans from me too, it's excellent and makes you laugh which is invaluable!

Ahickey - I've seen 3 bf counsellors in my lifetime and none of them ever touched my breasts. It's invaluable to have someone with you, observing what's unique to you and your baby, so please don't let one bad apple ruin your impression of them all. Without bf counsellors I would have given up at 2 weeks instead of carrying on for 14 months - and I now have a 3 yo who almost never gets sick. I'm convinced that's heavily influenced by my Power Milk

Dr Jack Newman's website. It has videos, handouts, etc.