Review: The nursing mother's companion

A practical guide to breast-feeding for mothers, written in a simple, methodical, understandable manner, with illustrations. Huggins believes that there is no greater reward than watching the child grow, first in the womb, then at the breast, and this feeling comes through in this warmly written guidebook. From planning the first few weeks from the mother's point of view--and then baby's--to the first month's learning period to traveling with baby to going back to work to family planning, Huggins presents an all-inclusive aid to the nursing mother. Along the way, she addresses such subjects as colostrum, ""the perfect food for babies, being high in protein, low in fat,"" to the difference in breast-fed babies' bowel movements (7-8 per day with greenish hue is normal), to positioning at the breast, to demand feeding, i.e., as baby needs it. Fatigue and depression are discussed, as well as fussy babies, underfeeding, and reassuring advice on weight loss (guaranteed to panic any mother, especially first-timers). Huggins often quotes other people's work rather than her own clinical experience. Some of her information is incomplete, e.g., the family-planning section, which fails to even mention the Billings' method of Natural Family Planning. Two appendixes cover drags and their side-effects and provide resource information. All in all, very useful and long overdue.

I often found the tone of this book insulting and even accusatory. For instance, when referring to a baby sleeping through the night, " the parents' desire for separation has overcome the baby's natural urge to be close to other human beings." With no encouragement, my child has slept through the night since she was 6 weeks old. This was certainly not due to us ignoring her (She may sleep all night, I don't!). As a scientist, I was also bothered by the inconsistent use of citations. It made me wonder whether in the instances of weighty verdicts being pronounced with no citation, it was just the author's opinion. For example, the author states that children offered pureed foods don't learn to chew at the appropriate developmental stage and may have more trouble learning to later. I couldn't find any studies to support that statement.  

Best breast feeding book ever written. This truly has helped me every step of the way and I regularly return to this book for problems. Every answer is in here. The author is not biased and does not pressure you to continue breast feeding like lactation consultants do. I had to look it up on Google Books because I lent my copy to my neighbor! 

Review: The Nursing Mother's Companion

seems like it will be a good reference so i bought it Read full review

Review: The Nursing Mother's Companion

Not so much a read-through book as one that's great for easy reference. I recommend reading the first half for basics and leaving the second half as something to refer to if you're having complications. Read full review

Review: The Nursing Mother's Companion

Definitely not a good tool if you are looking to breast feed beyond the first year. Most of the advice in this book is geared toward putting mom and baby on a schedule toward weaning by baby's first birthday. Read full review

Review: The Nursing Mother's Companion (EasyRead Large Edition): 5th Edition

full of very good and practical straightforward devoid of judgment. Read full review

Review: The Nursing Mother's Companion

Best help I've found on nursing! Read full review

Review: The Nursing Mother's Companion

Good book to have around for troubleshooting. Much more sane and balanced than the Womanly Art of Breastfeeding. Read full review

Review: The Nursing Mother's Companion

This was a good basic book for breastfeeding and the rest was if you find yourself in different situations things you can do which will be a good reference for the future. Read full review