Library Resources for National Breastfeeding Month

By Jennifer Allen-Williams, Coordinator, School Outreach
August 10, 2020

Breastfeeding—sometimes a controversial topic, yet a very natural part of life since the beginning of time. Type "history of breastfeeding," into a web browser and you will find a plethora of images including one of the iconic "Migrant Mother,"  Florence Owens Thompson, whose black and white photo was captured by Dorothea Lange during the Dust Bowl in 1936.  You are probably familiar with the well-known picture of her staring out pensively with a baby in her arms and two children holding onto each of her shoulders burying their faces into the crook of her neck as if for comfort. But did you know that there is also another photo of her where she is simply sitting on a chair breastfeeding and nurturing her infant just as millions of moms are doing around the world at this very moment?

Similar photos of nursing moms have more recently graced the covers of Elle and Time magazines in what appears to be a trend to normalize and embrace breastfeeding as nothing less than a precious  and powerful moment within a series of remarkable ones to be had in the journey of motherhood. 

As a millenial mother myself—who once felt uncomfortable with the concept due to a lack of knowledge and experience—breastfeeding is a topic I could write an entire paper on. The women of my generation and even the generations before, are no strangers to the stigmas associated with breastfeeding in a culture that sexualizes female mammory glands (yes, mammory glands as in this is what makes us mammals).  Luckily we are also experiencing a seemingly revolutionary moment of "this is what they're here for so either accept and respect it or go away." Unfortunately, women have been here before but one can only hope that this notion will finally stick.

Everyone has different bodies, babies, and circumstances so whether you breastfeed, have tried, or prefer to formula feed, it's all right; you are an awesome mom!

In honor and celebration of National Breastfeeding Month, I'd like to share these library resources  about breastfeeding below. 
 

What Do I Do and How?..Breastfeeding Guides
 

Ina May's Guide to Breastfeeding

Ina May's Guide to Breastfeedingby Ina May Gaskin

A compassionate reference by a certified midwife, May shares practical recommendations for rendering nursing a mutually beneficial experience, covering topics that range from breast pumps and sleeping arrangements to nursing multiples and returning to work.

Womanly Art of Breastfeeding

The Womanly Art of Breastfeedingby Diane Wiessinger, Diana West  and Teresa Pitman

Dedicated to supporting nursing and expectant mothers, the internationally respected La Leche League has set the standard for educating and empowering mothers in this natural art for generations. Now their classic bestselling guide has been retooled, refocused, and updated for today's mothers and lifestyles. Working mothers, stay-at-home moms, single moms, and mothers of multiples will all benefit from the books range of nursing advice, stories, and information from preparing for breastfeeding during pregnancy to feeding cues, from nursing positions to expressing and storing breast milk. 

Everything You Need to Know About Nursing Your Child from Birth Through Weaning

The Breastfeeding Book: Everything You Need to Know About Nursing Your Child from Birth Through Weaning by Martha Sears, RN and William Sears, MD 

A comprehensive, reassuring, authoritative information on breastfeeding, from getting started and increasing your milk supply, to toddler nursing and weaning. They also cover nutrition—for your nursing baby and yourself—as well selecting a pump, and other special circumstances. Breastfeeding contributes to nurturing a smarter and healthier baby—and a healthier and more intuitive mommy. Isn't that what every child needs, and every parent wants?

I Came. I Read. I Conquered. Challenges..

An All-in-one Guide for Nursing Mothers to Build a Healthy Milk Supply

Boost Your Breast Milk: An All-in-One Guide for Nursing Mothers to Build a Healthy Milk Supply by Alicia C. Simpson MS RD IBCLC LD

In a breastfeeding guide filled with evidence-based advice, a lactation expert offers practical and clear guidance on nursing, how to recognize low milk supply and what to do if it happens, as well as healthy recipes that support milk production and will keep Mom healthy and well supplied with milk for baby.

the new mom's survival guide to breastfeeding and going back to work

Work. Pump. Repeat.: The New Mom's Survival Guide to Breastfeeding and Going Back to Work by Jessica Shortall

 Drawing on the war stories, hacks, and humor of working moms, and on her own stories from her demanding job and travel in developing countries, she gives women moral support for dealing with the stress and guilt that come with juggling working and breastfeeding. As she tells the reader in her witty, inspiring manifesto, “Your worth as a mother is not measured in ounces."

Why the Big Fuss?.. The Controversial Past.

How Medicine, Big Business, and Feminism Undermine Breastfeeding

The Big Letdown: How Medicine, Big Business, and Feminism Undermine Breastfeeding by Kimberly Seals Allers

Pediatricians say you should but it's okay if you don't. The hospital says, "Breast is best," but sends you home with formula "just in case." Your sister-in-law says, "Of course you should!" Your mother says, "I didn't, and you turned out just fine." Celebrities are photographed nursing in public, yet breastfeeding mothers are asked to cover up in malls and on airplanes. Breastfeeding is a private act, yet everyone has an opinion about it. How did feeding our babies get so complicated?

The Evolution of Breastfeeding and the Making of a Controversy

Unlatched: The Evolution of Breastfeeding and the Making of a Controversy by Jennifer Grayson

The popular Huffington Post environmental columnist investigates the complex social and political factors that have shaped breastfeeding in recent decades, examining hot-button debates and landmark decisions while sharing insights from multicultural moms and forefront advocates.

breastfeeding, race, and injustice

Skimmed: Breastfeeding, Race, and Injustice by Andrea Freeman 

The Famous Fultz Quads tells the heartbreaking story of America's first recorded African American quadruplets, their rise to fame and use as advertising symbols for baby formula companies, and the damage done both to their lives and the greater health and wellbeing of generations of African American families in the US. 

 

 

 

 

Let's Address Disparities, Shall We? Eye-Opening Facts.

The Definitive Guide to Nursing for African American Mothers

Black Woman's Guide to Breastfeeding : The Definitive Guide to Nursing for African American Mothers by Kathi Barber

This timely, up-to-date guide addresses the unique economic and social issues of black women while showing them why and how to breastfeed their children. African American infants are twice as likely to die before their first birthdays as white infants, have the highest rate of asthma of any race and have a 35 percent higher prevalence of childhood obesity than white children. African American women are 2.2 times more likely to die from breast cancer and 30 percent more likely to die from ovarian cancer than white women. All of these health crises can be remedied to some degree with breastfeeding, but virtually all breastfeeding literature on the market fails to speak to the financial, educational and cultural realities of many African American women. The Black Woman's Guide to Breastfeeding addresses the importance of breastfeeding in the African American community and provides all the practical advice African American mothers need to succeed at breastfeeding.

"We're in This Together." Partners, Want to Help?

What to Expect the First Year

What to Expect the First Year by Heidi Eisenberg Murko 

An updated guide describes each early stage of child development, from infancy to toddler; answers dozens of questions about child care; includes information on common childhood ailments; and discusses such topics as breastfeeding, allergies, vaccinations, vitamins, SIDS, attachment parenting, early potty training, green parenting and more.

Queer Conception and Adoption Stories

Swelling with Pride: Queer Conception and Adoption Storiesedited by Sara Graefe

This groundbreaking anthology portrays the journeys to LGBTQ2 parenthood that start or end with adoption and the countless hurdles that go along with it: from surviving the home study process and dealing with systemic homophobia to transitioning an adopted child into a new home. There are tales of shared nursing, blended families, communal parenting and non-binary pregnancy.

 

Two more recommendations:

Note: Due to COVID-19, NYPL Libraries are not currently hosting in-person La Leche League meetings . However, you can register for virtual meetings here.

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