Breastfeeding: Stories to Inspire and Inform [Paperback]

I found these little mini-memoirs about breastfeeding (written in the women's own words) to be both eye-opening and heart-warming. They contain lots of positive and practical messages about breastfeeding, but also give great insight into common breastfeeding problems (both real and perceived), such as difficulties with latching on, oversupply, reflux, mastitis and emotional issues too. They're eye-opening in the sheer range of experiences (and the often disappointing behaviour of health professionals), but also a fantastic celebration of breastfeeding.

I wish I'd read it when my first daughter was about 4 weeks old - it would have made me realise I wasn't the only person in the world dreading the prospect of the night ahead with my newborn (and it would have made me realise that things do get better!). There's nothing like other people's real-life stories, told in their own words, for getting an honest picture of what life with a newborn baby is like (and in fact this is a type of book I looked for but found didn't exist when pregnant myself).

I would definitely recommend it as a pregnancy or newborn gift, or for Mums looking for support and guidance in those all-too-trying early months of breastfeeding. You're not alone!

There's something quite fascinating in reading how diverse breastfeeding relationships can be, even where mums have had multiple babies. This reinforces my own very recent discovery that different babies are... well, different. Fascinating too that virtually every mum, no matter how ambivalent to breastfeeding they may appear to be at the start of each story, quickly becomes emotionally invested in this intimate act of primal bonding.

What is really reflected in each story is how important support is to the breastfeeding mum; it can't be coincidence that mums who talk about pressure to bottle feed from family members are the same mums who talk about early cessation of breastfeeding. I can't be more grateful that I have a family who sees breastfeeding, even "prolonged" feeding as one mum refers to it, as normal rather than something to be wrapped up as quickly as possible. One mum herself talks about this, reflecting on her own experience gathering support through Mumsnet which ultimately led to her becoming a breastfeeding peer supporter.

As an experienced breastfeeding mum (my own story could easily double the size of this book!) I found myself nodding away to various snippets, sharing out loud my own advice as if these mums could hear or indeed make use of my belated words of wisdom(!) Unfortunately I also found myself sighing and shaking my head at others... the obsession with ending feeding at 6 months, and myths about milk quality and quantity in particular. Thankfully (for my blood pressure) common myths are highlighted with an asterisk to advise readers that evidence-based knowledge disagrees and the issues are then covered in the "Exploding some common myths" section.

I definitely think this book is one to add to the library of texts I recommend to new mums, if nothing else than to offer reassurance that there is a huge range of what is `normal' feeding. The honest sharing of real-life experiences does far more to encourage and support struggling mums than any clichéd "breast is best" slogan.

I read this book when my baby was about 2 months old and it was an invaluable source of support - wish I could have read it earlier. The women who contributed to it have so many different experiences of breastfeeding which is so useful when you are dealing with your own personal highs and lows of bf a new baby. You really do feel you are not alone.

Each chapter is a different woman's story so from a practical point of view, it's easy to dip in and out of - very important when you have a small baby!