Book Review: Mama Knows Breast

Nowadays, you can find a lot of books with information on breastfeeding on the market. But if you are a really busy mom with no time to read a lot of books and process a ton of information, or if you have a newborn and really don't have the time to search through extensive information to find what you are looking for, then I highly recommend Andi Silverman's Mama Knows Breast: A Beginner's Guide to Breastfeeding.I found Siverman's book to be a really fun and compact book on breastfeeding. The illustrations are fun and chic, and the book is compact and light enough for you to just toss into your purse or diaper bag and read on the go. This is great for the busy mom or the new mom, who is too tired or overwhelmed to research breastfeeding online or turn to other, more extensive books. Don't let the size of the book fool you though; although it is compact, it is full of great information about the basics of breastfeeding that every mom should know, and the back of the book contains a great list of resources for moms to turn to if they desire more information.

So, let me tell you about a few of the things I really liked about Silverman's book:

- It doesn't set up unrealistic expectations for moms who are thinking about breastfeeding. Silverman lets the readers know that breastfeeding is not all bliss and smiles; it is hard and there are a few challenges a mom can face. But, at the same time, she clearly lets her readers know that once you get past the challenges it is soo worth it.

- From the Mouths of Moms: throughout the book Silverman inserts little paragraphs of quotes from moms about breastfeeding. It was really interesting to read other mom's views on breastfeeding and mothering in itself.

- Mama Data: Did you know that The Ancient Greeks say that the Milk Way was created through breastfeeding? I do, thanks to Silverman's inserts throughout the book entitled Mama Data, a great collection of trivia and facts concerning breastfeeding.

- Silverman devotes an entire chapter to how Dads can get involved. This is especially important to ward off those comments about how Dad "won't be able to bond because he can't feed the baby."

- Silverman's list of suggestive comebacks to people who make rude comments about you breastfeeding can fit with any personality.

There were a few things about the book that I would like to see change. The first is that Silverman seems to suggest that a baby will be ready to be sleep trained as early as three months old. Training a baby that young is not recommended, even by the so called sleep training experts themselves! I think what mothers need to remember is that there is no "set age" in which babies will magically begin to sleep through the night. It really is up to the child. The Mermaid slept through the night starting at four weeks old. The Guppy still isn't sleeping through the night and she turns one this month. Get the picture?

A second thing that I would like to see change is where Silverman mentions co sleeping. She states:

But be careful. There's a serious risk that a baby could suffocate or get hurt.

If the parents choose to co sleep and take all the necessary precautions, the risk of suffocation or injury is extremely minimal. In fact, co sleeping can be safer for the child than crib sleeping.

And finally, the third thing I would like to see changed is that Silverman states that in developed countries, "formula-feeding is considered a viable alternative to breastfeeding." Well.....I tend to disagree with this one. One is a living, natural source packed with all the antibiotics and other elements that is essential for baby's development while the other is a dead, manufactured source that is made with the cheapest oil available. Although I do see her point in that formula feeding is safer in developed countries than in developing countries, in my opinion it is not a viable alternative.

All in all, I would recommend this book to any busy mom and pregnant mom who want to know the basics of breastfeeding. It's a great place to start on their journey of knowledge through motherhood.

Book Review: Mama Knows Breast