Every expectant mother who is planning to breastfeed, or is wondering about it, should read this one. It covers a wide spectrum of topics including how to how to achieve a good latch, and how to deal with challenges and problems. There is also a great section on adoptive parent nursing. (Yes, they can do that!)

This book has the best description of how to tell if the baby is actually getting milk I have ever read. I am now breastfeeding my 3rd child and even a "veteran breastfeeder" like me benefitted from this book. I cannot recommend this book high enough.

I'm a mother of an 8 week old baby boy, and breastfeeding did NOT come naturally to me. It started out as a struggle to get him to feed, but now I am feeling more comfortable with the process. This book helped me understand why its not always perfect the first time, and helped me figure out that no matter how hard, that I am doing the BEST possible thing by breastfeeding. The book is quite informative, written by a male (who obviously hasnt breasfed!) but has been a lactation consultant since the 60s where it was NOT the thing to do.

Its really a worthwhile read, and an excellent reference, I wouldnt hesitate on purchasing this if I were thinking of breastfeeding or already BESTfeeding :)

I read this book to get ready for breastfeeding my first child. I initially found the book to be very informative....and then I found myself arguing philosophically with Dr. Newman. His approach is realistic for mothers who can stay at home for an extended period of time...but, much of his advice (e.g., a bottle is a last resort) is clearly impractical for the working mother who does live in a Western civilization. I also completely disagreed with his opinions on breastfeeding well into the toddler years. There is clearly no evidence suggesting that this is nutritionally necessary, and emotional support can come in other ways (he outlined this very nicely for the fathers). I believe that mothers can bond with and comfort their toddlers in ways other than breastfeeding as well.

Dr. Newman writes this book in a way that completely disregards the needs of the mother. For example, when asked a question about going out, he says that there is no reason to not breastfeed in public. It may make others uncomfortable, but breastfeeding in public is your right as a mother. Well, Dr. Newman...that's great, but what if the mother isn't comfortable whipping out her breast in public?? This is where I feel a bottle of expressed milk would certainly come in handy....which of course, Dr. Newman does not encourage at all.

I don't quite understand why Dr. Newman wrote so strongly about the reasons for breastfeeding. Clearly, the women buying this book are planning to give it a shot!

I bought this book about 2 months after I bought my preemie home. I was concerned that I might have some milk-flow problems. The baby was actually gaining well, but I wanted to be sure all was ok. After reading this book, I was devistated. I cried. The author makes it known that all breastfeeding problems are due to a poor latch. He then repeatedly states that it is almost impossible to correct a bad latch after the baby has been nursing for a month or so. Then he illustrates many poor latches with photos. Well, my baby was a preemie and not big enough to latch-on in the manner he recommended. I was doomed. I drove my mother, husband and best friends nuts with my fears that my baby would never get good breast milk - he actually tells the readers that just because your baby is gaining well does not mean you have a good latch and you could have problems later.... So I had waited too long to buy the book and there was no hope for me.... Finally I kicked the book under the couch, where it remains today. I would also like you to know that my baby is doing great and breastfeeding is going just fine, thank you. As soon as I stopped worrying about latch-on, he was fine. The lactation consultant I spoke with was a MUCH bigger help. She was very encouraging and personal.

I wouldn't even give this book a star! I am fully supportive of breastfeeding and believe it is the best choice of feeding for babies. As I prepare for the birth of my first child I have read over 15 books on breastfeeding, pregnancy and birthing. This is by far the worst book I have spent my time reading. The tone of the author is not only annoying it is down right distracting. He is so focused on his agenda that it is hard to get past any helpful information he may have in the book. Dr. Newman style is to constantly put down others to make his case stronger. The sad thing is he wastes a lot of time pointing fingers and blaming others. If he had just stuck to the basics and removed the "attitude" it might have been better received. The layout is awful as well. I will not use it as a reference book at all, it answered very few questions. (So the title is misleading) I am telling anyone even interested in breastfeeding to avoid this book. There are too many other good books out there. The best thing I did with this book was throw it away.