useful books on breastfeeding?

[lolly123]

Hi,
I'm 30 weeks pregnant on my first and would like to breastfeed - and would also like to use EASY - I've read the BW book and am very impressed with Tracy's ideas. However, any bf books I've seen recommend 'feeding on demand' rather than trying to implement a routine also they all seem to advise against combining bottle with breast which Tracy says is fine.
I was wondering if anyone can recommend a book on breastfeeding that will work with EASY. I really want my baby to have breastmilk but I don't want to sacrifice routine for it.

Thanks!
L

[Samuel's mum]

I think the key is to combine both ideas yourself. It seems wise to initially breastfeed on demand to build up your supply (apparently demand feeding at the start is crucial to develop levels of prolactin hormone production that then support your throughout your breastfeeding life). I would also say hold off on bottles for a few weeks if you can and ensure your latch is successful and to prevent any risk of nipple confusion. Then after a month or so see what your baby's natural routine is and then begin to establish EASY around it (prior to that you may have already been doing a mini-EASY but not with a specific timed schedule). When I started, the feeding intervals were around 2-2.5 hours.

Very young breastfed babies often need feeding every 2 hours or so or even more during a growth spurt; due to hormones they fall asleep easily at the breast; they can feed for 45 minutes at a time. If you start EASY under these conditions you could be setting yourself up for a hard time. I would wait personally, but that's my view. At around 6 weeks things will seem much more settled. EASY is just one part of BW life and it doesn't have to start right away in a formal 'timed' sense. I found the stuff about different cries were my favourite few pages in the first few days!

Good books I've read include 'The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding' by La Leche League and 'The Ultimate Breastfeeding book of Answers' by Dr Jack Newman.

[Southernbelle]

Hi, I had a lot of breastfeeding issues with my first Lo (especially milk supply problems...he was a lazy nurser and a host of other complications).  With my daughter (now 9 weeks old) I was determined to go into it more informed on how to trouble shoot.  I read a book called Dr. Mom's Guide to Breastfeeding (by Marianne Neifert MD).  I rented it from my local library and it was by far the best book I have found.  She was reasonable and didn't make you feel like you failed if you encountered problems while nursing, but she gave great solutions and advice.  She is a MD first, which I like, and was an active member of LLL when she was nursing her many babies.  I wish I had read this book before my first baby.  This time around, I do struggle somewhat with my milk supply, but have learned the tell-tale signs and know what to do to combat the problem.  My DD is on EASY now, but the first four weeks I really just went easy on the schedule and worked on my milk supply and feeding her often.  With my son part of the problem was that I tried to stretch out his feedings too soon and didn't give my breast enough stimulation.  Once your supply is established, it is easier to move them to a 2.5-3hr EASY.  Hope this helps.

[lolly123]

Thanks very much for your replies - I'll have a look at the books you recommended. The feeding issue is by far the one that worries me most as a first timer - no-one in my family breasfed so I want to read as much as I can before the baby comes.
Thanks again.
L

[daisymelan]

You found this website!  This is one of the biggest support systems I have found.

 

Good Luck!!