Breastfeeding Media Reviews

Adventures in Tandem Nursing: Breastfeeding During Pregnancy and Beyond by Hilary Flower (La Leche League International, 2003)

Breastfeeding: A Holistic Handbook by Eve Adamson and Maureen Kays,MD (Berkely Books, 1999)

DVD: Breastfeeding Comprehensive, from Stephanie Scholz Neurohr and G. Hunt Neurohr, thoroughly investigates the topic of breastfeeding, from detailed how-to instruction to tandem nursing, from donor milk banks to pollution and globalization. Featured are interviews with physicians such as William Sears, Jay Gordon, and Paul Fleiss, as well as with such noted researchers and activists as Tom Hale, Marian Tompson, and Kathi Barber. Although it includes input from midwives and shows one homebirth, unfortunately much of the film is shot in a hospital setting. Regardless, this video is very well produced, and highly recommended for professionals and mothers alike. The two other DVDs in the series, Breastfeeding Intensive and Breastfeeding Basics, are excerpts from this film. (Mother of 7, Inc., 2006)
Reviewed by Melissa Chianta.

The Birth of Hathor
With the Birth of Hathor, Heather Cushman-Dowdee recounts in words and pictures the creation of her comic-strip super hero, Hathor The Cowgoddess. Cushman-Dowdee uses her cow-masked wonder mom character to make fun of profit-digging formula companies and cosleeping naysayers. On days when you feel as if your parenting mojo has just flown off to Fiji without you, pick up this book and enliven you. (Heather Cushman-Dowdee, 2005 www.thecowgoddess.com)
Reviewed by Melissa Chianta

The Black Woman's Guide to Breastfeeding: The Definitive Guide to Nursing for African-American Mothers
This book, by Katherine Barber, one of the lactation experts at www.mothering.com, is an approachable, reader-friendly manual on breastfeeding with an eye toward the unique economic and social issues affecting African American women. (Source Books, 2005)
Reviewed by Melissa Chianta

The Breastfeeding Answer Book Nancy Mohrbacher, IBLC and JulieStock, MA, IBLC (La Leche League International, 2003)

Breastfeeding Basics
Part of an award-winning series, this practical how-to DVD is an excerpt from the longer DVD Breastfeeding Comprehensive. Often used as a mother's guide, physician's tool, or a helper's roadmap, Breastfeeding Basics features renowned experts and breastfeeding advocates William Sears, MD; Jay Gordon, MD; and Paul Fleiss, MD.
Reviewed by Debby Takikawa

The Breastfeeding Café: Mothers Share the Joy's, Challenges, & Secrets of Nursing
by Barbara L. Behrmann, Ph.D. For this inspirational book, Dr. Behrmann interviewed women across the country about their unique breastfeeding experiences. Interviewees discuss the gamut of this complex relationship, from adjusting to night feedings to navigating spousal sexual relationships. The intimate anecdotes offer emotional validation not found in how-to breastfeeding books. (University of Michigan Press, 2005)

Clinical Therapy in Breastfeeding Patients, 2nd ed. by Thomas W. Haleand Pamela Berens, MD (Pharmasoft Publishing, 2002)

Fresh Milk: The Secret Life of Breasts by Fiona Giles (Simon & Schuster, 2003)

Medications and Mothers Milk: A Manual of Lactational Pharmacology (Medications and Mother's Milk) by Thomas W. Hale, PhD (Pharmasoft Medical Publishing, 2002)

The Nursing Mother's Companion by Kathleen Huggins (Harvard Common Press, 1999)

The Latch and Other Keys to Breastfeeding Success
By Jack Newman, MD, and Teresa Pitman, is a straightforward, easy-to-comprehend manual on a crucial component of nursing: how baby attaches to the breast. The photographs accompanying the text depict more problem latches than good ones; still, this volume offers excellent guidance for lactation consultants (its intended audience) and breastfeeding moms. (Hale Publishing, 2006)
Reviewed by Melissa Chianta

The Nursing Mother's Guide to Weaning by Kathleen Huggins (Harvard Common Press, 1994)

The Nursing Mother's Herbal by Sheila Humphrey.
This is a thorough, detailed manual on breastfeeding that pays careful attention to herbs. It includes chapters on breast problems and milk supply, an appendix on herbs and safety, and an extensive list of holistic health organizations. (Fairview Press, 2003)

Nursing Mother, Working Mother by Gale Pryor (Harvard Common Press,1997)

Spilled Milk: Breastfeeding Adventures and Advice from Less-Than-Perfect Moms
by former Utne senior editor Andy Steiner, is a probreastfeeding book, but more to the point, it is promother. Steiner interviewed women across the country and concludes that yes, with proper guidance and effort, most mothers can breastfeed —but not all. So, she says, lay off judging other—and yourself; recognize that everyone is simply doing her best. Validation is a healing thing, and there is plenty of it in this hip, funny read. (Rodale Books, 2005)
Reviewed by Melissa Chianta

How Weaning Happens by Diane Bengson (La Leche League International,1999)

The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding (La Leche League International,1987)