Good hypnobirthing/breastfeeding books

[xsjrx]

Hi All, just posting to see if anyone can recommend any good reading on hypnobirthing and also breastfeeding? Plan on doing a hypnobirthing course and we're listening to some podcasts just now. Hoping to breastfeed so want to read up on that too. Currently 19 weeks but knowledge is power so thinking I'd get a head start.

TIA ☺️

The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding is not a light read but absolutely encyclopaedic.

I used the Marie Mongan hypo birthing book.
Also The politics of breastfeeding is a surprisingly readable book.

If you have any money to throw at this then I would hugely recommend using it for a visit from a private lactation consultant if you have any issues breastfeeding (say around 2 weeks after birth).

Hypnobirthing: I read Effective Birth Preparation (Maggie Howell) and it did contain some things I found very helpful in dealing with pain. I very much disagree with her “natural birth is inherently best” view though - interventions are often needed in the best interests of mother and baby, especially baby and thank god we have them .

Thanks everyone! All your info is so helpful and I'll look into these, and yes I've found a private lactation consultant locally so keeping that in mind for when we return home to help me.

Kellymom.com is better than any book I've read on breastfeeding - evidence-based and covers anything and everything you might need to know.

I preferred mindful birthing over hypnobirthing. Hypnobirthing class I tried with DS used more of a distraction technique e.g. imagine a calm and peaceful place like a beach with waves and so on. It didn't work for me. Mindful birthing I tried with DD encouraged acknowledgement of the sensations and acceptance of them as part of your body and experience. Mentally that made a huge difference to me. But courses for horses. I can't think of the author but I'm sure the book I liked was just called Mindful Birthing and had a yellow cover.

I found the positive birth company's online course to be all the info I needed.

Katherine Graves book and CD on hypnobirthing is great. Also on audible if you prefer.

Lactivate and The Food of Love for breastfeeding books.

@Inneedofanewwardrobe Ive heard of them before and good things so thanks!

@puppygalore Thanks I'll look into that and yes more looking at acknowledging what's going on than total distractions for it. I really hope to do unmedicated as im not a fan of needles but well aware that you don't know what will happen at time and interventions may be needed but info on pain coping mechanisms is helpful.

@MagpieSong thanks I'll look into these along with the others. Looks like I'll have lots of summer reading on my hands but audio sounds good too.☺️

YY to the womanly art of breastfeeding. Dodgy title and cover photo but amazing information inside!!

@linerforlife thanks I've ordered this book and a couple of the others above and will look into the rest. ☺️

+1 to the Kellymom website. I prefer books, but it's a really great website full of helpful info.

@PerspicaciousGreen Definitely going to look at this. I prefer books too but was just saying wish I'd got kindle versions of the ones I've purchased..esp handy for insomnia at night so this website will be handy any time of day!

The Positive Birth Book by Milli Hill
The Positive Breastfeeding Book by Amy Brown

Positive breastfeeding by Amy Brown is great and not actually what the title says in that it very much supports you in your decisions including formula if needed.

Another great one is You’ve got it in you by Emma Pickett. And food of love by Kate Evans

Birth - positive birth book by Milli Hill. Again title is misleading and it covers all sorts of things.

The Politics of Breastfeeding is a really informative book, although it doesn't cover any actual technique it taught me a lot about the history of breastfeeding and formula feeding so you can get an idea of what you're up against by starting breastfeeding! Understanding the past to interpret the present sort of thing, especially as the resources for supporting new mothers in breastfeeding has been greatly reduced during the pandemic.

Kellymom is a brilliant resource that draws upon evidence-based research and anecdotes.

I didn't technically do 'hypnobirthing' but just used general meditation and breathing techniques I got off of YouTube. But in the right circumstance it really does work and is helpful for staying calm and in control.

Thanks ladies ☺️

@xsjrx my dd is a hypnobirthing teacher she does regular podcasts I’m sure she could also recommend some books she has a website/Instagram moonandstarshypnobirthing I’m biased but she is very knowledgeable & helpful.

Kelly mom is run by a former la Leche league leader (not sure if she’s also still a leader) and is an excellent resource.

The womanly art is a brilliant book op - really glad you’ve ordered it. I read it when I was pg and really helped me over little bumps in the road with bf.

@Foxhasbigsocks thanks, the BF book is still to arrive but the effective birthing is here and I've started that...really enjoying it so far. Still to look at Kelly website...so much to read ☺️

@dontcallmelen ooh what is the name of her podcast and I'll check it out?

@xsjrx it’s Moon and Stars hypnobirthing you can search her out via her website/Instagram under the same name I think she has another episode being released tomorrow, lots of people find it helpful & like her direct & non airey fairy approach.

@dontcallmelen thank you ☺️