Favorite breastfeeding book / WAB opinion

[Guest guest]

Hi Lyla -- The book I find myself recommending most often to mothers is The Breastfeeding Book by Dr. Sears. It is an easy read, easy to use as a reference and attachment focused.

(Putting on my LLLL hat) I know it's practically blasphemous to say that I don't really like the WAB but I don't. I am very selective about recommending it and have to know the mom's circumstances. For some moms, there is simply too much information in the WAB and they are overwhelmed. They need a simpler introduction to breastfeeding and can perhaps "graduate" to the WAB later. Perhaps better indexing and layout would help alleviate some of these feelings.

Furthermore, I have had a number of moms in my LLL world tell me that they find the WAB to be very judgmental of anyone who is not a stay at home mom -- and this is coming from mom who generally practice an attached parenting style and stay home with their babies! I am in full support of the tennant of mother /baby togetherness and think moms do need to hear how important this is but I think it can be said in more neutral language without being watered down. When a mom has such a strong response to the emotional tone of the book, often she ends up not being able to take in all of the other great information available in the book. I would like to see the WAB do a better job of providing suggestions for maximizing mother / baby togetherness when it is not possible for a mom to stay at home full time with her baby. Also, I'd like to see the WAB use "invitational" language that causes a mom to be attracted to all

the wonderful things about breastfeeding and to LLL as an organization instead of language that says, "If you don't stay home, you can't be part of the group." To use language from my background as a family therapist, you have to join with the client first before you can help them shift their thinking. The WAB tries to guilt you into changing without doing any joining which I personally don't find very effective.

(stepping off my soapbox and hoping that no one is offended by my strong opinion)

Best of luck --