Until I had my Little Beauty, I never knew that breastfeeding could be so complicated. There’s nothing to it, I thought, Stick baby to boob. Baby eats. End of story.
Actually, that’s just the beginning. There are SO many things to know and consider – from positions to pumping to pacifiers. The topic actually requires an entire book.
That’s how Andi Silverman came to write Mama Knows Breast: a Beginner’s Guide to Breastfeeding. Silverman is a former lawyer and television reporter and is now the mom of two boys that are eighteen months apart. After breastfeeding her two boys, she realized that there was a market for a comprehensive – but also reader-friendly – guide to breastfeeding. So she wrote it.
The cover is very fun and vibrant – the font and graphic selections make it appear friendly and inviting. The illustrations within the pages are equally trendy and modern. The small size of the book is also enticing for a new mom – it’s non-intimidating and easy to throw in a diaper bag or purse. The inside pages make very efficient use of white space, bolded and italicized fonts, and quote boxes to ensure that the reader won’t be overwhelmed by too much text. These “superficial” things do matter – especially to moms – who often have limited chunks of time to read.
The information within the pages is also comprehensive and factual.
My only point of contention was Silverman’s comments about babies’ sleep patterns: “After a few months, most babies can sleep through the night without waking to eat” (p. 91). Elizabeth Pantley, sleep expert and author of The No-Cry Sleep Solution, paints a more realistic picture in her book, “…waking up once or twice a night is really normal during the first two years of life…and until about age three, a great percentage of children wake up during the night needing a parent’s attention.”
I can overlook that point, however, since it’s really only one or two lines out of the whole book. The rest of the guide is jam-packed with extremely useful information presented in a fun format that moms will enjoy. Moms will learn about proper latch-on, burping, how to know if baby is eating enough, how to store and thaw breast milk, tips for breastfeeding in public, how to respond to critics (in witty or polite ways – depending on your mood), and how to go about the weaning process.
In sum, this little “pocketbook” guide is handy, friendly, and non-threatening. This would be the perfect baby shower gift, along with a Glamourmom® tank, a tube of Lansinoh HPA® Brand Lanolin, and/or a box of Lansinoh® Ultra Soft Nursing Pads.
WIN IT! One mama will win a copy of Mama Knows Breast: a Beginner’s Guide to Breastfeeding. To enter, simply leave a comment and your e-mail address prior to Sunday, March 2, at midnight. The winner will be announced and contacted on Monday, March 3. * Winner must provide a U.S. mailing address.
* UPDATE * The winner is #24 doodlegirl. Congratulations!
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lilyk says
March 3, 2008 at 6:56 amPlease enter me into the contest. Thanks!
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krahzus says
March 3, 2008 at 4:46 amI’d love to have this book as I know nothing about breastfeeding and only have a short time to figure it out before the little one arrives.
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arobama says
March 3, 2008 at 4:07 amBreast feeding is NOT necessarily an easy thing. I’d love this for my pregnant daughter
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toyota says
March 3, 2008 at 3:43 amyes yes, I need this. I have a friend who really needs this and would appreciate this. thanks. please enter me.
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Grace says
March 3, 2008 at 2:58 amGood luck!
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Divine Diva In NC says
March 3, 2008 at 1:28 amThanks for the chance to win.
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ajshon says
March 3, 2008 at 1:07 amlet me win please please
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Kate says
March 3, 2008 at 12:43 amenter me, please!
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G says
March 2, 2008 at 6:34 pmPlease enter me :)
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donna444444 says
March 2, 2008 at 5:55 pmCute, I would like to win.
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purango says
March 2, 2008 at 2:54 pmPlease enter me in the contest. Thanks.
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Taryn says
March 2, 2008 at 2:46 pmgreat giveaway!
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Brooke says
March 2, 2008 at 1:48 pmNot for me. I’d give this to my friend who’s having a baby. It seems my life is filled with pregnant ladies (FINALLY!!)
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miniloulous says
March 2, 2008 at 3:42 amGreat giveaway ! I’m expecting my baby in about a month and could use more advice bout breastfeeding…
miniloulous(at)yahoo(dot)com
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sachidewey says
March 2, 2008 at 2:54 amI’d love to win this for my pregnant best friend!
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Storm says
March 2, 2008 at 1:29 amI could definately use this! I really want to BF but I have to tell you, it scares the beejeebees out of me!
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Doreen says
March 2, 2008 at 1:02 amSounds fascinating, would love a copy of this book!
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Mommie says
March 1, 2008 at 4:15 amI love this!
Mommie
http://www.mommieshome.net
(e-mail can be found on contact portion of the site)
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cdrury says
February 29, 2008 at 11:17 pmgreat for my new expecting daughter in law!
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purplepassion126 says
February 29, 2008 at 1:01 amSounds insightful!
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pancak says
February 28, 2008 at 9:01 pmI’d pass this on to my cousin.
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Marissa D says
February 28, 2008 at 2:35 amLooks like it contains so valuable tips! Should be helpful.
Thanks,
Marissa
md-sweeps at hotmail dot com
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Alexander says
February 28, 2008 at 2:27 amMy friend Emmalee would absolutely love this!
TheWizardKing (at) Gmail (dot) com
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Michelle Smiles says
February 27, 2008 at 11:18 pmI’m terrified of trying to breastfeed and failing at it. Why can’t it be simple?
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Heather says
February 27, 2008 at 4:50 pmI’d love to win a copy! My email is runhlrun at gmail dot com.
Thanks!
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dolls123 says
February 27, 2008 at 5:23 amGreat book for a new mama
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Rachie S. says
February 27, 2008 at 3:04 amcount me in!
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Debbie Criss says
February 27, 2008 at 12:45 amHave a niece and daughter-in-law pregant. Would love to win. thank you
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Anonymous says
February 26, 2008 at 8:32 pmI would love to win this book! deanna@count.com
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Timothy says
February 26, 2008 at 3:45 pmIf I won, I would pass this on to my pregnant sister!
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Holly says
February 26, 2008 at 2:56 pmI love nursing my son and would love to give this book to my good friend who is expecting.
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Sheena says
February 26, 2008 at 8:34 amI’m expecting my first in May and I’ve already started to “milk”. I’m new to breastfeeding and would like to be successful at it.
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Rebecca says
February 26, 2008 at 4:47 amI would love to be entered in the contest. Your blog has been a wonderful read!
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Knit & Purl Mama says
February 26, 2008 at 4:00 amAs mom to soon-to-be 18 month apart children myself, I’d love to win this book. Breastfeeding didn’t work past 6 weeks with my now 14 month old, but I hope to breast feed with baby number 2.
I’m Canadian, but have a US address for shipping purposes :)
Robyn
graphicdesignchick at hotmail dot com
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Anonymous says
February 26, 2008 at 1:59 amAs a nurse, I know that babies get many benefits from breast feeding. My daughter can use this for her expected one.
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Susanne says
February 26, 2008 at 1:51 amAhhh…I need lots of help in this breastfeeding department!! Thanks!
stbaisch[at]yahoo[dot]com
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Anonymous says
February 26, 2008 at 1:42 amI need the help I can get. I want to breast feed.
watson at zerostreet dot net
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Mike says
February 25, 2008 at 10:00 pmi want to win
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Miss Vida says
February 25, 2008 at 9:39 pmMy best friend is pregnant and I’d love to give this to her! Thanks for the chance to win.
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Rachel C. says
February 25, 2008 at 9:22 pmI’d love to be entered to win – thanks so much!
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buggies908 says
February 25, 2008 at 8:34 pmI am really going to need this!
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Carissa says
February 25, 2008 at 8:16 pmI’d love to pass this along as a gift to a friend.
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susan1215 says
February 25, 2008 at 7:13 pmplease enter me
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ruth payne says
February 25, 2008 at 6:49 pmOh, man, do I need a refresher. It;s been four years since #1 and – yikes!
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jill says
February 25, 2008 at 6:33 pmI’ll be a newbie to breastfeeding in a few months – would love any help I can get!
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lev53211 says
February 25, 2008 at 6:13 pmi would love to win- i’m due in 4 days and want to learn anything and everything about breastfeeding.
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Clara says
February 25, 2008 at 6:07 pmBefore I had my first, I, too, thought breastfeeding would be simple. But I’m on baby number 3 and still on that learning curve.
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Heather says
February 25, 2008 at 5:46 pmI am currently nursing our fourth baby and there is always more to learn about breastfeeding.
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redron says
February 25, 2008 at 5:12 pmwant to win this
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Brian says
February 25, 2008 at 4:28 pmEnter me please.
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Lucy says
February 25, 2008 at 4:16 pmI would love to win this book. My first is due in June and I have been frightened by the internet, everyone says that breastfeeding is so difficult. Maybe this will calm me a little. Thanks.
lucycontest at gmail.com
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DOODLEGIRL says
February 25, 2008 at 4:10 pmI hope I can use this one day
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KIMBERLY says
February 25, 2008 at 4:06 pmGreat Contest! Thanks!
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Alexia says
February 25, 2008 at 3:52 pmI would love to win this book. I can never get enough info about breastfeeding!
Alexia @ voyager . net
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quiltingreader says
February 25, 2008 at 3:46 pmEnter me, please.
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Andrea McMann says
February 25, 2008 at 3:01 pmOoh! I’d love to win this! :)
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mverno says
February 25, 2008 at 2:56 pmfor me and my daughter-in-law i hope
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Tuesday Girl says
February 25, 2008 at 2:21 pmI am breastfeeding my third baby due in a couple of weeks, this would be great.
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reb says
February 25, 2008 at 2:11 pmi want to win
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idahomom says
February 25, 2008 at 1:34 pmYou would think that breast feeding was easy, but let me tell you it depends on the baby.
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Anonymous says
February 25, 2008 at 1:00 pmWow!!
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jennifer57 says
February 25, 2008 at 12:08 pmwould love to win this for my best friend who is pregnant right now. :)
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Kari says
February 25, 2008 at 10:43 ambreast is best! I nursed my youngest for 2 years and would love to pass this on to my sister who is actively trying to conceive.
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Anonymous says
February 25, 2008 at 8:33 amI’ll be a mommy soon. I could use this book.
lhendricks@cox.net
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Lilith Silvermane says
February 25, 2008 at 6:01 amI am a mother of 6 breastfed beauties! However, my best friend comes from a family of non-breastfeeding women, and they are making her life a nightmare about making the choice to breastfeed! (She is 5 months pregnant)
This book could possibly help her, when I’m not there, or when I can’t give her all the answers! (I’m good, but I’m not THAT good) :).. I’d love this book for her.
Thank you.
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Not the Queen says
February 25, 2008 at 5:12 amI would love this for my sister-in-law. After all the trouble I had with #1, and finally figuring it out with #2, I’d love to give her a positive head start to breastfeeding!
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Rhonda says
February 25, 2008 at 4:48 am5 months of breast feeding and it’s still a mystery to me.
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Mrs. Aceto says
February 25, 2008 at 3:37 amGoing to give it one more try with #3. Maybe this will be the secret I have been looking for?
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Megan@SortaCrunchy says
February 25, 2008 at 3:26 amStephanie! You always find the coolest stuff. I am always on the lookout for new, mama-friendly bf’ing books. Thanks for the recommendation (and the caveat about when to expect baby to sleep through the night. Ay yi yi.)!
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Mary512 says
February 25, 2008 at 3:22 amthanks for the awesome giveaway steph!
hellomary018 AT yahoo DOT com
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Katie says
February 25, 2008 at 2:47 amMy mom is a doula and I’m sure she would love to have this as a reference book for her clients.
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Andi says
February 25, 2008 at 12:25 amThanks so much for your kind review! I’m glad you liked the book. I appreciate your comment about the sleep section. I’m actually going to make a change to that paragraph if the publisher goes to a second printing. If anyone has any questions, I’m happy to respond. –Andi
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Bree says
February 25, 2008 at 12:19 amI’d love to read more about breastfeeding!
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Heather says
February 25, 2008 at 12:16 amThis would a great shower gift! Thanks!
katebeth45 at gmail dot com
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Andrea says
February 24, 2008 at 11:59 pmIf I won, I would pass this on to my pregnant sister!