The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding | 
panTERRIBLE! No scientific citations. Anecdotes/ generalizations are presented as facts. VERY judgemental. (You better have a "normal" birth aka unmedicated and vaginal delivery or breastfeeding issues are your fault!) Reading this made me feel worse about having breastfeeding issues, not better. If you feel holier than thou about how you're a better mom because of your success breastfeeding, this is the book for you. Otherwise, avoid at all costs!
KathyWheeler I hate that we‘ve gotten so judgmental about breastfeeding. It wasn‘t that bed when my children were born (37 and 28). I tried to breastfeed my son, but he did not thrive; I couldn‘t do it with my daughter because of a medication I was on. No one made me feel bad about it. But now we feel we have to judge everyone instead of realizing that as long as the baby is fed, it doesn‘t matter. 3y
CaseyTheCanadianLesbrarian @KathyWheeler Yeah moms have a hard enough time with ppl telling them they're not doing it right without this supposedly supportive book doing it too! I actually felt that this book was dated in its perspective which seemed to be a defensive reaction to a climate where breastfeeding is actively discouraged. At least where I live now, that is definitely not the case. 3y
Chrissyreadit I had a huge struggle breastfeeding- and was a working mom so when I applied to be a leader after 3 years of nursing two children- imagine my shock at being turned down! Two of the local leaders wrote a letter lying about my experience because they did not believe moms should work!!! (Both very well off) so now I never recommend LLL to anyone for support. 3y
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CaseyTheCanadianLesbrarian @Chrissyreadit How horrible! I'm so sorry that happened to you. I'm sure with your experiences nursing while working and working through struggles would have actually been a huge asset! 3y
Chrissyreadit Thanks!! How is it going for you? 3y
CaseyTheCanadianLesbrarian @Chrissyreadit I've had some struggles too, although it is getting better. My baby was premature so she had trouble latching for the first 3 weeks. Now she's having some issues crying/fussing while feeding which I think is related to her nose being stuffed up. I'm seeing a midwife today for some help. 😊 3y
Chrissyreadit Oh good! Im sure your right about stuffy nose. I‘m glad your getting good help. 3y
CaseyTheCanadianLesbrarian @Chrissyreadit 😊 3y
ImperfectCJ When my daughter was born in 2005, I read the previous edition of Womanly Art and found it incredibly helpful, but I know there were a lot of changes for this edition. The LLL groups I was involved with in two different states were incredible, supportive, diverse, nonjudgmental, but groups in two other places were not at all. I wish all the groups were as awesome as the ones I encountered early on, but luckily there are lots of other resources. 3y
CaseyTheCanadianLesbrarian @ImperfectCJ I'm glad you had a good experience and support! 💜 3y
ImperfectCJ @CaseyTheCanadianLesbrarian And I'm sad not every new mother has the kind of support I stumbled upon. (Incidentally, this version of the book does have scientific references. They're in "Selected References" between the acknowledgements and the index. I was surprised at your comment so I checked.) 3y
ImperfectCJ @Chrissyreadit That's horrible behavior on those Leaders' part! I'm so sorry you went through that. The two groups I was very involved with both had multiple Leaders who worked, including more than one college professor and sole breadwinner. I can't imagine our groups without their perspective. What a loss for the nursing moms in your area that you were turned down! 3y
Chrissyreadit @ImperfectCJ unfortunately sometimes women can be our worst enemies instead of support- I‘m so glad you had a great experience 3y
Centique Oh my goodness I had such a bad ride with the whole difficult birth/difficulty breastfeeding/completely terrorised by a public midwife in hospital about it. I became so anxious about it. Luckily I had a good private midwife that helped me recover and just do what was best for us. Which is to say Best Wishes to You with whatever you and your family find works 💕💕 3y
CaseyTheCanadianLesbrarian @Centique I'm so sorry to hear that! Thank you 💖 3y
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