The Breastfeeding Cafe: Mothers Share the Joys, Challenges, & Secrets of Nursing

by Barbara L. Behrmann

"This book should be a gift at every baby shower. Dr. Behrmann's wisdom, warmth, and information are heartwarming, reassuring, and practical."
---Christiane Northrup, M.D., author of Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom and The Wisdom of Menopause

"The Breastfeeding Cafe will become the book of choice for nursing mothers, and for anyone who wants to learn about the awesome experience of breastfeeding for mothers and their...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 047206875X
• ISBN13: 9780472068753
• Release Date: February 2005
• Publisher: University of Michigan Press
• Length: 311 Pages
• Weight: 1.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.1" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

The Breastfeeding Cafe

I am a doula, chilbirth educator and mom of four. I absolutely loved the book. I thought that Ms. Behrmann covered so many great issues involved with breastfeeding. What was very refreshing to me was that she not only covered the "typical" topics, but also covered some of the issues that most people don't discuss. The book was highly motivating to me for continuing to breastfeed through challenges and to seek help when problems are encountered. As a doula, I give all of my clients and pregnant friends a copy of this book as their pre or postpartum gift. It very well may be the best book on breastfeeding they receive.

This is a beautiful book!

This is just a wonderful book. Most pregnancy and infant care books describe breastfeeding as a simple either/or. They have the "breast is best" chapter followed by the "here's how to bottle-feed" chapter. We talk about each one as a series of pros and cons. What's missing is what nursing means to my relationship with my daughter. Whether we nurse or not, and how long we nurse, are decisions that shape our whole family's experience. Yet breastfeeding is not something I talked about at work or at parties or even in playgroup. This book made me realize that breastfeeding is a hugely important part of the mothering relationship and that we need to recognize it in our culture. When I was pregnant all I heard were the breastfeeding horror stories of sore nipples, engorgement and toddlers who bite. I decided to nurse despite the stories, but certainly not because of them! Breastfeeding is much more than the horror stories, and I'm so glad there is now a book showing all the different ways that each mother experiences it and how it changes over time. I could relate in some way to nearly every story. It's just a beautiful book.

The good, the bad, and the ugly of breastfeeding

This book is absolutely wonderful. I had to hug the author when I saw her at a conference, that's how good her book was! I mean, I've nursed my daughter for 5 years now, so what could I possibly learn from a breastfeeding book? Well, the answer was A LOT! The book gave me back some of what I wish we all had, a community where we can freely talk about nursing, about the good, the bad, and the ugly, and still feel 'normal'. It was great to see all the different experiences women have had with breastfeeding. The book made me laugh out loud, and it also made me cry several times. It's a great book both for the 'professional' or 'amateur' at breastfeeding. This is not like any of your other breastfeeding books, there's no `how to breastfeed' instructions here; instead you'll find all the different emotions that people experience while breastfeeding under different circumstances. While not a `technical' book it has bundles of factual information woven into the stories. Also, there are lots of references to online resources for various topics. Anyway, I can't say enough for this book. I really felt like I was sitting with my closest friends talking about our most private moments around breastfeeding. I don't get this much information, and certainly not so candidly, even from LLL or API meetings. Thank you so much Barbara!

A Must Have for Nursing or Intending to Nurse Moms!

I only wish I had this book before I became a mom! It would have truly prepared me for the breastfeeding experience in an emotional way. All of the other books I have explained the technicalities of breastfeeding in the 'how-to' manner, but this book really helps you to understand the different experiences women go through when breastfeeding. It made me feel that I wasn't alone in my difficulties or the breastfeeding process. Through the publishing of this book Barbara Behrmann has created an incredible support group for all breastfeeding women. I recommend it to anyone who is planning to, is currently, or has breastfed - you will connect with the many women who have told their incredible stories. I bought one as a gift for a baby shower and the pregnant mom was so excited -- she feels she has a better understanding of the breastfeeding process now and is eager to begin!

This is a really good book

I loved this book. It made me laugh and it made me cry. I didn't even think I wanted to read a book on breastfeeding, but I couldn't put it down once I started reading it. I will never regret the hours of breastfeeding that went into mothering my children and it makes me happy that Barbara Behrman is helping other moms make the decision to nurse their children.