Breastfeeding Books Worth Reading

Here are some valuable resources for breastfeeding. Surprisingly, breastfeeding can be difficult to master. It's a skill that is learned and practiced. These books are a good start to any breastfeeding library.

Here are the breastfeeding books reviewed so far:

Nursing Mother, Working Mother: The Essential Guide for Breastfeeding and Staying Close to Your Baby After You Return to Work
Spilled Milk: Breastfeeding Adventures and Advice from Less-Than Perfect Moms
Eat Well, Lose Weight, While Breastfeeding: The Complete Nutrition Book for Nursing Mothers
Breastfeeding Made Simple: 7 Natural Laws for Nursing Mothers
The Ultimate Breastfeeding Book of Answers: The Most Comprehensive Problem-Solving Guide to Breastfeeding
Mothering Multiples: Breastfeeding and Caring for Twins or More
The Vegetarian Mother's Cookbook: Whole Foods to Nourish Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women - And Their Families

If you have a breastfeeding book that was particularly helpful, share your review with me and I'll include it here for other mothers to enjoy.

Nursing Mother, Working Mother:
The Essential Guide for Breastfeeding and Staying Close
to Your Baby After You Return to Work

Written by: Gale Pryor

Nursing Mother, Working Mother is a great resource for moms dreading post-maternity-leave. Gale Pryor has a soothing way of writing that is encouraging to moms worried about balancing work with nursing. I was a working mom for the first two years of Lauren's life, so I understand the added stressors of being away from your baby for long periods of time. Gale provides a plan and gives great suggestions on how to maintain your milk supply and your job at the same time.

Who will benefit the most from this book?

Mothers looking ahead at having to go back to work, or moms discouraged about having to pump. Although it is a great book, you'll need to use some creativity to fit her suggestions and plans into your specific workplace. Some of her suggestions may seem difficult, but push through and give them a try.

Spilled Milk:
Breastfeeding Adventures and Advice from Less-Than Perfect Moms

Written by: Andy Steiner

Spilled Milk is a humorous look at the true adventure of breastfeeding: the mistakes. From sore nipples to embarrassing public escapades, she does an outstanding job taking a potentially stressful subject and turning into an enjoyable educational read. No breastfeeding topic or incident is off-limits. A great tell-all about the real experiences of every day breast feeding moms.

Who will benefit the most from this book?

Moms wanting a break from heavy "how to manuals", but still want some educational meat on their funny bone. A 100% guilt-free read.

Eat Well, Lose Weight, While Breastfeeding:
The Complete Nutrition Book for Nursing Mothers

Written by: Eileen Behan, a registered dietitian

If you've gained a few pounds after your baby's birth, this is a great guide to helping you shed them. Eat Well, Lose Weight, While Breastfeeding is also an ideal guide if you're concerned about what you should eat to ensure optimal milk nutrition for your baby. It covers exercise plans for weight-reduction, and lists the foods you should (and should not) eat while breastfeeding. It even has some delicious new recipes for you to try.

Who will benefit the most from this book?

Mothers worried about eating well for themselves and their baby. You will get great information on healthy foods, but don't expect to hear new weight-loss tips. The real "gem" of this book is in its nutritional wisdom - although combining that wisdom with good, sound standard weight-loss suggestions is a good recipe for successful post-baby weight loss.

Breastfeeding Made Simple:
7 Natural Laws for Nursing Mothers

Written by: Nancy Mohrbacher

Breastfeeding Made Simple is a great "ease-into" book about nursing. It has a fun, friendly tone, and does a great job of alleviating some of the pressures many mothers feel regarding breast feeding. The tips on correct latching are particularly helpful.

Who will benefit the most from this book?

Mothers who are experiencing stress in their breastfeeding, or mothers uptight about the prospect of breastfeeding. Nancy's "natural law" aspect of breastfeeding is a particularly thoughtful slant not found in other breastfeeding books.

The Ultimate Breastfeeding Book of Answers:
The Most Comprehensive Problem-Solving Guide to Breastfeeding
from the Foremost Expert in North America

Written by: Dr. Jack Newman

The Ultimate Breastfeeding Book of Answers is a great resource for just-starting moms. It touches on the basics (techniques and tips), dabbles in the advanced (troubleshooting), and then even expounds into the uber-obsessed (into the science and biology of breastfeeding).

Who will benefit the most from this book?

Mothers who are 100% committed to breastfeed 100% of the time. It tends to lean towards natural-birthing, natural-feeding, with little wiggle-worm for moms wishing or needing to supplement with formula.

Mothering Multiples:
Breastfeeding and Caring for Twins or More

Written by: Karen Kerkhoff Gromada from the La Leche League

Mothering Multiples is a great resource for any mom juggling two or more babies. It's resourcefulness doesn't stop at breastfeeding: it also covers preemies, siblings, and the psychological issues involved in parenting multiples. In regards to breastfeeding, expect easy how-to's and detailed instructions on how to get ready for multiples.

Who will benefit the most from this book?

Any mother (or soon-to-be-mother) of twins, triplets (or even octuplets!). This is a Le Leche League book, so expect a somewhat-biased view of breastfeeding. However, this particular author does incorporate information on adding formula to the diet, if situations requiring it come up.

The Vegetarian Mother's Cookbook
Whole Foods to Nourish Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women -
And Their Families

Written by: Cathe Olson

The Vegetarian Mother's Cookbook is one-stop shopping for health related nutritional information if your breastfeeding. The recipes (over 300) are awesome (and this from a non-vegetarian). The information even goes into which foods to eat to help with cravings, constipation, even colic. Most the recipes are vegan, but those that aren't have information on how to make it vegan. Besides "food" recipes, she also lists recipes for teas and tonics to help with pregnancy woes.

Who will benefit the most from this book?

Obviously, if you're vegetarian or vegan, this book will be immensely helpful to you. However, even if you're not, the information and recipes are family-friendly and nutritionally-balanced. This cookbook will give any mother a boost in her breastfeeding confidence. With such good food going into you it's bound to have excellent benefits for your baby.