Welcome to the November Carnival of Breastfeeding, the theme of which, as we approach the season of goodwill is appropriately enough Product Reviews. We have many great posts from lots of bloggers this month so make sure to check out their posts which will be added to this page as they become available.
Book Review: The Food of Love, Your Formula for Successful Breastfeeding
For this carnival I absolutely had to post a review of one of the wittiest books about breastfeeding I've had the pleasure of reading, The Food of Love, Your Formula for Successful Breastfeeding
We don't tend to think of breastfeeding as being particularly funny but The Food of Love brings many humorous situations breastfeeding mothers find themselves in to the fore. It helps a lot that the author, Kate Evans, is an extremely talented cartoonist and throughout the book it is undoubtedly her cartoons which bring to life the many situations breastfeeding mothers are faced with every day.
From the front cover, featuring a baby holding on tightly as she breastfeeds on a great big love heart to the back cover showing a mother breastfeeding as she drinks her coffee whilst working from home, it made me laugh out loud in recognition!
Apart from the fact that the cartoons are very witty, it is extremely well-written and bursting with thoroughly researched breastfeeding information. Covering everything from the first feeds to co-sleeping, The Food of Love explains all you need to know about breastfeeding in a very comforting and inspirational fashion. In many instances Kate draws from her own personal stories to help illustrate the information on the page; this makes for a very effective learning experience for the reader as well as getting the point across in a very unique way.
One section I particularly enjoyed showed the way each mother's experience when first breastfeeding can have an enormous impact on her success. Through cartoons Kate tells how her own mother was adamant she wanted to breastfeed and let no-one and nothing stop her: this resulted in her becoming a confident and successful breastfeeding mother.
Contrast that with her mother in law's experience: she was very effectively dissuaded from breastfeeding despite her protests by a pro-formula midwife and as a result she unfortunately ended up formula feeding all four of her children. What this does for the reader is show just how vital it is for new mothers to be prepared for breastfeeding and for any ensuing battles with health professionals (and others) long before the birth!
The Food of Love as a factual resource illustrates brilliantly in diagram form how the actual milk is made in the breasts. (In fact it's one of the very best diagrams I think I've ever seen on breastfeeding!) It also informs mothers why breastfeeding is so good for their babies, shows how to breastfeed and the best positions to choose from. There are also chapters covering areas of common concern for new mothers such as how to tell if you've got enough breastmilk, how often to feed, night-time feeding, stress and depression, breastfeeding complaints, breastfeeding in public, the opinions of others, sex (yes, she even delves into the arena of resuming a sexual relationship with your partner and how to ensure you make time for it but don't end up pregnant again!) and weaning both onto food and later, off the breast!
Phew, it seems this book covers just about everything!
The Food of Love is a fabulous read, guaranteed to bring a smile to the face of the lucky recipient who will learn all they reasonably need to know about breastfeeding, not to mention being left with the memories evoked by the wonderful illustrations which will stay in their mind for a very long time afterwards!
If you're looking for a great gift to give an expectant mother or a new mother who is breastfeeding, then this is the one.
So what are you waiting for? Order your copy of The Food of Love now
Read more Carnival of Breastfeeding Posts from the following bloggers ( links added as they become available):
Motherwear Breastfeeding Blog: Tanya reviews review three breastfeeding and pumping CDs
Breastfeeding 123: Angela reviews the Medela Sleep Nursing Bra
Blacktating: Lettibug reviews breastfeeding supply boosters
Mama Knows Breast: Andi reviews the Utterly Yours Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Pillows
BabyFingers: Jenny reviews an essential nursing bra tank top
Hobo Mama: Lauren reviews nursing pads
Mamas Magic: Jen reviews breastfeeding essentials and bling
Laylabeth: Laylabeth reviews essential nursing products
Half Pint Pixie: Pixie reviews nursing bras
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