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Book Review: Mama Knows Breast
By metropolitanmama | February 24, 2008
Until I had my Little Beauty, I never knew that breastfeeding could be so complicated. There’s nothing to it, I thought, Stick baby to boob. Baby eats. End of story.
Actually, that’s just the beginning. There are SO many things to know and consider - from positions to pumping to pacifiers. The topic actually requires an entire book.
That’s how Andi Silverman came to write Mama Knows Breast: a Beginner’s Guide to Breastfeeding. Silverman is a former lawyer and television reporter and is now the mom of two boys that are eighteen months apart. After breastfeeding her two boys, she realized that there was a market for a comprehensive - but also reader-friendly - guide to breastfeeding. So she wrote it.
The cover is very fun and vibrant - the font and graphic selections make it appear friendly and inviting. The illustrations within the pages are equally trendy and modern. The small size of the book is also enticing for a new mom - it’s non-intimidating and easy to throw in a diaper bag or purse. The inside pages make very efficient use of white space, bolded and italicized fonts, and quote boxes to ensure that the reader won’t be overwhelmed by too much text. These “superficial” things do matter - especially to moms - who often have limited chunks of time to read.
The information within the pages is also comprehensive and factual.
My only point of contention was Silverman’s comments about babies’ sleep patterns: “After a few months, most babies can sleep through the night without waking to eat” (p. 91). Elizabeth Pantley, sleep expert and author of The No-Cry Sleep Solution, paints a more realistic picture in her book, “…waking up once or twice a night is really normal during the first two years of life…and until about age three, a great percentage of children wake up during the night needing a parent’s attention.”
I can overlook that point, however, since it’s really only one or two lines out of the whole book. The rest of the guide is jam-packed with extremely useful information presented in a fun format that moms will enjoy. Moms will learn about proper latch-on, burping, how to know if baby is eating enough, how to store and thaw breast milk, tips for breastfeeding in public, how to respond to critics (in witty or polite ways - depending on your mood), and how to go about the weaning process.
In sum, this little “pocketbook” guide is handy, friendly, and non-threatening. This would be the perfect baby shower gift, along with a Glamourmom® tank, a tube of Lansinoh HPA® Brand Lanolin, and/or a box of Lansinoh® Ultra Soft Nursing Pads.
WIN IT! One mama will win a copy of Mama Knows Breast: a Beginner’s Guide to Breastfeeding. To enter, simply leave a comment and your e-mail address prior to Sunday, March 2, at midnight. The winner will be announced and contacted on Monday, March 3. * Winner must provide a U.S. mailing address.
* UPDATE * The winner is #24 doodlegirl. Congratulations!
Topics: book review, breastfeeding, contests |
February 24th, 2008 at 11:59 pm
If I won, I would pass this on to my pregnant sister!
February 25th, 2008 at 12:16 am
This would a great shower gift! Thanks!
katebeth45 at gmail dot com
February 25th, 2008 at 12:19 am
I’d love to read more about breastfeeding!
February 25th, 2008 at 12:25 am
Thanks so much for your kind review! I’m glad you liked the book. I appreciate your comment about the sleep section. I’m actually going to make a change to that paragraph if the publisher goes to a second printing. If anyone has any questions, I’m happy to respond. –Andi
February 25th, 2008 at 2:47 am
My mom is a doula and I’m sure she would love to have this as a reference book for her clients.
February 25th, 2008 at 3:22 am
thanks for the awesome giveaway steph!
hellomary018 AT yahoo DOT com
February 25th, 2008 at 3:26 am
Stephanie! You always find the coolest stuff. I am always on the lookout for new, mama-friendly bf’ing books. Thanks for the recommendation (and the caveat about when to expect baby to sleep through the night. Ay yi yi.)!
February 25th, 2008 at 3:37 am
Going to give it one more try with #3. Maybe this will be the secret I have been looking for?
February 25th, 2008 at 4:48 am
5 months of breast feeding and it’s still a mystery to me.
February 25th, 2008 at 5:12 am
I would love this for my sister-in-law. After all the trouble I had with #1, and finally figuring it out with #2, I’d love to give her a positive head start to breastfeeding!
February 25th, 2008 at 6:01 am
I am a mother of 6 breastfed beauties! However, my best friend comes from a family of non-breastfeeding women, and they are making her life a nightmare about making the choice to breastfeed! (She is 5 months pregnant)
This book could possibly help her, when I’m not there, or when I can’t give her all the answers! (I’m good, but I’m not THAT good) :).. I’d love this book for her.
Thank you.
February 25th, 2008 at 8:33 am
I’ll be a mommy soon. I could use this book.
lhendricks@cox.net
February 25th, 2008 at 10:43 am
breast is best! I nursed my youngest for 2 years and would love to pass this on to my sister who is actively trying to conceive.
February 25th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
would love to win this for my best friend who is pregnant right now.
February 25th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
Wow!!
February 25th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
You would think that breast feeding was easy, but let me tell you it depends on the baby.
February 25th, 2008 at 2:11 pm
i want to win
February 25th, 2008 at 2:21 pm
I am breastfeeding my third baby due in a couple of weeks, this would be great.
February 25th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
for me and my daughter-in-law i hope
February 25th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
Ooh! I’d love to win this!
February 25th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
Enter me, please.
February 25th, 2008 at 3:52 pm
I would love to win this book. I can never get enough info about breastfeeding!
Alexia @ voyager . net
February 25th, 2008 at 4:06 pm
Great Contest! Thanks!
February 25th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
I hope I can use this one day
February 25th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
I would love to win this book. My first is due in June and I have been frightened by the internet, everyone says that breastfeeding is so difficult. Maybe this will calm me a little. Thanks.
lucycontest at gmail.com
February 25th, 2008 at 4:28 pm
Enter me please.
February 25th, 2008 at 5:12 pm
want to win this
February 25th, 2008 at 5:46 pm
I am currently nursing our fourth baby and there is always more to learn about breastfeeding.
February 25th, 2008 at 6:07 pm
Before I had my first, I, too, thought breastfeeding would be simple. But I’m on baby number 3 and still on that learning curve.
February 25th, 2008 at 6:13 pm
i would love to win- i’m due in 4 days and want to learn anything and everything about breastfeeding.
February 25th, 2008 at 6:33 pm
I’ll be a newbie to breastfeeding in a few months - would love any help I can get!
February 25th, 2008 at 6:49 pm
Oh, man, do I need a refresher. It;s been four years since #1 and - yikes!
February 25th, 2008 at 7:13 pm
please enter me
February 25th, 2008 at 8:16 pm
I’d love to pass this along as a gift to a friend.
February 25th, 2008 at 8:34 pm
I am really going to need this!
February 25th, 2008 at 9:22 pm
I’d love to be entered to win - thanks so much!
February 25th, 2008 at 9:39 pm
My best friend is pregnant and I’d love to give this to her! Thanks for the chance to win.
February 25th, 2008 at 10:00 pm
i want to win
February 26th, 2008 at 1:42 am
I need the help I can get. I want to breast feed.
watson at zerostreet dot net
February 26th, 2008 at 1:51 am
Ahhh…I need lots of help in this breastfeeding department!! Thanks!
stbaisch[at]yahoo[dot]com
February 26th, 2008 at 1:59 am
As a nurse, I know that babies get many benefits from breast feeding. My daughter can use this for her expected one.
February 26th, 2008 at 4:00 am
As mom to soon-to-be 18 month apart children myself, I’d love to win this book. Breastfeeding didn’t work past 6 weeks with my now 14 month old, but I hope to breast feed with baby number 2.
I’m Canadian, but have a US address for shipping purposes
Robyn
graphicdesignchick at hotmail dot com
February 26th, 2008 at 4:47 am
I would love to be entered in the contest. Your blog has been a wonderful read!
February 26th, 2008 at 8:34 am
I’m expecting my first in May and I’ve already started to “milk”. I’m new to breastfeeding and would like to be successful at it.
February 26th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
I love nursing my son and would love to give this book to my good friend who is expecting.
February 26th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
If I won, I would pass this on to my pregnant sister!
February 26th, 2008 at 8:32 pm
I would love to win this book! deanna@count.com
February 27th, 2008 at 12:45 am
Have a niece and daughter-in-law pregant. Would love to win. thank you
February 27th, 2008 at 3:04 am
count me in!
February 27th, 2008 at 5:23 am
Great book for a new mama
February 27th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
I’d love to win a copy! My email is runhlrun at gmail dot com.
Thanks!
February 27th, 2008 at 11:18 pm
I’m terrified of trying to breastfeed and failing at it. Why can’t it be simple?
February 28th, 2008 at 2:27 am
My friend Emmalee would absolutely love this!
TheWizardKing (at) Gmail (dot) com
February 28th, 2008 at 2:35 am
Looks like it contains so valuable tips! Should be helpful.
Thanks,
Marissa
md-sweeps at hotmail dot com
February 28th, 2008 at 9:01 pm
I’d pass this on to my cousin.
February 29th, 2008 at 1:01 am
Sounds insightful!
February 29th, 2008 at 11:17 pm
great for my new expecting daughter in law!
March 1st, 2008 at 4:15 am
I love this!
Mommie
http://www.mommieshome.net
(e-mail can be found on contact portion of the site)
March 2nd, 2008 at 1:02 am
Sounds fascinating, would love a copy of this book!
March 2nd, 2008 at 1:29 am
I could definately use this! I really want to BF but I have to tell you, it scares the beejeebees out of me!
March 2nd, 2008 at 2:54 am
I’d love to win this for my pregnant best friend!
March 2nd, 2008 at 3:42 am
Great giveaway ! I’m expecting my baby in about a month and could use more advice bout breastfeeding…
miniloulous(at)yahoo(dot)com
March 2nd, 2008 at 1:48 pm
Not for me. I’d give this to my friend who’s having a baby. It seems my life is filled with pregnant ladies (FINALLY!!)
March 2nd, 2008 at 2:46 pm
great giveaway!
March 2nd, 2008 at 2:54 pm
Please enter me in the contest. Thanks.
March 2nd, 2008 at 5:55 pm
Cute, I would like to win.
March 2nd, 2008 at 6:34 pm
Please enter me
March 3rd, 2008 at 12:43 am
enter me, please!
March 3rd, 2008 at 1:07 am
let me win please please
March 3rd, 2008 at 1:28 am
Thanks for the chance to win.
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:58 am
Good luck!
March 3rd, 2008 at 3:43 am
yes yes, I need this. I have a friend who really needs this and would appreciate this. thanks. please enter me.
March 3rd, 2008 at 4:07 am
Breast feeding is NOT necessarily an easy thing. I’d love this for my pregnant daughter
March 3rd, 2008 at 4:46 am
I’d love to have this book as I know nothing about breastfeeding and only have a short time to figure it out before the little one arrives.
March 3rd, 2008 at 6:56 am
Please enter me into the contest. Thanks!