mothertalk book tour: mama knows breast
So, at this point I’m still waiting on a new baby to breastfeed. Which makes this the perfect time to review Mama Knows Breast: A Beginner’s Guide to Breastfeeding. Yes, there are lots of breastfeeding books out there, but none that are nearly this hip (see the fabulous cover there in the graphic?).Mama Knows Breast covers the basics; there’s not a lot here for troubleshooting, or for unusual circumstances. But what’s good about the basics is that they give you language to ask for help. You can look over the section on latch, be absolutely unsure of whether you’re doing it right, and decide to call up a lactation consultant and say, “I’m not sure he’s latched on properly…” The book won’t fix your problem, but it can help you get the help you need.
Plus, this book has a few things going for it that other breastfeeding books don’t.
First of all, the format! I love it. Two-color layout throughout! Cool illustrations! Petite size! The cover and pages are a little sturdier than your typical paperback; the heavy-duty feel and squat dimensions remind me of a journal. I was a little concerned that I might not be able to hold the book one-handed (because when you’ve got a new baby, everything’s got to be done one-handed), but once I really opened up the cover, it was just fine.
The text’s layout is practical for the brand-new mom: the author wisely makes use of lists and short sections, so you can set down the book at a moment’s notice without feeling lost when you come back. Not that any of you would know what that’s like, right?
And then there’s this: it’s pretty light on parenting suggestions. Mama Knows Breast references attachment parenting gurus like Dr. Sears, but doesn’t push particular parenting methods the way many breastfeeding books do—so you can hand a copy to your non-attachment-friendly neighbor without worrying about inciting a parenting-style turf war.
And now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll go back to waiting for this baby, who will need breastfeeding soon enough.
For more on Mama Knows Breast, visit MotherTalk.
Labels: mother talk, oh baby, reading
7 Comments:
Hi Melissa-- Thanks for your kind review! I'm glad you like the illustrations and design elements. I can't take credit for them, however. That was the publisher, Quirk Books, and their awesome decision to hire Cindy Luu to do the illustrations. It came out better than I could have ever imagined!
Good luck waiting for your breastfeeding days to start once again! I certainly didn't have an ounce of patience at the end of my pregnancies.
Andi
Hmmm - wonder if I can squeeze this read in before the baby's due date next week? I'm sure it's more important than laundering onesies.
Elizabeth- read and breastfeed! One of the great benefits of breastfeeding is having to sit still and read or think or zone out for a few minutes. No wonder my kids have all been long-term nursers. :)
My all time favorite thing to do while breastfeeding was watching TV! I have never watched so much TV in my entire life as when I was breastfeeding. And if you can get TIVO or something like it, you will be golden!
Oh, this sounds good! I love good breastfeeding books.
Oh, yes, I'd forgotten about being able to watch TV without guilt! It's not as easy now that I have older kids, but they do go to bed fairly early...
You can totally fit this in before your due date next week. It's a very nice and easy read that can quickly be referred to later.
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