Product Description

While some mothers take to breast-feeding like a duck to water, others just can't seem to get the hang of it. Clare Byam-Cook agrees that breast is best but she stresses that the most important thing is that your baby is fed - whether by the breast or bottle - and you, the mother, should feel comfortable with whatever you choose to do. This comprehensive guide has been fully revised and updated to contain all the latest information on breast-feeding your baby successfully, including: how to prepare for breast-feeding; what to expect in the early stages; how to overcome common problems; and if you can't...the first rule is you shouldn't feel a failure. Clare Byam-Cook recognises there are certain circumstances where bottle feeding is an advisable alternative. Rather than making you feel guilty if you prefer, or have to, bottle feed, she is wholly supportive and sympathetic, providing you with all the practical advice and information you need.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #22807 in Books
• Published on: 2006-05-04
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 160 pages

Review
"* 'I just can't praise her enough' - Kate Winslet * 'This book should be handed out with the first contraction. Buy this book!' - Kate Beckinsale * There is so much rubbish talked to new mothers about breast-feeding...Clare takes away the old wives' tales, the nonsense and guilt, and makes the whole process work as it is meant to - Emma Freud"

From the Publisher
An invaluable guide with clear and sensible advice for new mothers

About the Author
Clare Byam-Cook trained as a nurse and midwife. She has worked as a breast-feeding specialist in Christine Hill's antenatal practice for sixteen years and previously worked as a midwife at Queen Charlotte's Maternity Hospital in London. She also carries out home or hospital visits to any mother who is having feeding problems. Clare has written articles for various baby magazines, is a regular guest expert for Junior Pregnancy & Birth magazine and has made appearances on television and radio, including This Morning and Gloria Hunniford. She is also an expert on Gina Ford's website.

Customer Reviews

A breastfeeding lifesaver of a book!
I successfully exclusively breastfed my son for seven months but i would be the first to admit that the first 10 weeks were quite frankly hellish. I had a good milk supply and my son latched on easily but as a first time mother I had no idea why my son was behaving in certain (difficult) ways whilst i was breastfeeding and after i breastfed him. This book restored my sanity and confidence and helped me solve the various problems that i was having feeding, winding and settling my son.

The book identifies pretty much every breastfeeding related problem, explains why the problem is occuring and suggests multiple ways of solving the problem. The book is very practical and really is about breastfeeding, winding and settling a baby so don't expect it to give you other advice on routine (like Gina Ford or Baby Whisperer).

I was at my wits end and found other books and counciling services unhelpful/too hippy/unspecific enough compared to this book. It was only through reading this book (and constantly referring back to it during the seven months that i breastfed) that i had the confidence to continue and even grow to really enjoy the breastfeeding experience.

DO NOT BUY THIS BOOK!
I am a trained midwife, currently practising as a maternity nurse. I like to read to keep up to date with what the women I work with are reading. I would NEVER recommend this book. It is full of inaccurate sweeping statements and not even one single reference - the whole book is solely based on what she thinks! NEVER take a book seriously if it can't be backed up with references.

The book regularly had me shouting out loud at her inaccuracies (eg re getting baby to take a bottle 'You can use the same bottle of milk for up to one-and-a-half hours, reheating it as often as is necessary to keep it at an attractive temperature for him.' - JUST NOT TRUE AND ACTUALLY POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS) and therefore had me extremely worried about ALL the advice she was giving. Some of it is so inaccurate and misleading.

Never once in this book does she suggest holding your baby or playing with your baby. It's all feed, wind, sleep. What about relationship and nurturing? I think she's missed an important point about breast feeding and the early days relationship.

Breast feeding doesn't require a text book. It requires patience, common sense, a good sense of humour and a relaxed approach. If you're really struggling see a local breast feeding counsellor (BUT even then be wary, and follow your gut and your heart, and your baby!).

The book desperately needs updating, but preferably, in my opinion needs removing from the market. DO NOT BUY THIS BOOK!

The advice is this book will convince you that you don't have enough milk
I had this book while pregnant and discarded it within 3 months of breast feeding because the information was inaccurate, out of date, recommended needless interventions of expressing and worst of all convinced me that I had poor milk supply! What complete rubbish!!

It is completely undermining of the breastfeeding relationship - does not tell you that it is NORMAL for babies to feed ALL evening, that it is NORMAL for babies to feed much more frequently than 3-4 hourly. Recommending formula "top-ups" is the quickest way to destroy breastfeeding.

There are much better breastfeeding books out there - look at the Womanly Art of Breastfeeding by La Leche League or any of the NCT titles. Better still find a breastfeeding support group locally and go every week! This helped me to breastfeed for over a year (and I was one of the rare people who follow advice not to start solids until 6 months!)

Unfortunately the website wouldn't let me put 0 stars on this review because I cannot say strongly enough that you will regret buying it.
xx