So That's What They're for: Breastfeeding Basics by Janet Tamaro

by Janet Tamaro

From bestselling author Janet Tamaro comes the third edition of So That's What They're For! For years, moms have relied on this staple book-now infused with new sections, including breastfeeding multiples and monitoring nutrition, and featuring completely revised and updated resource materials. Reflecting the latest in breastfeeding research, and packed with humorous anecdotes, this book proves (again) that breastfeeding advice does not have to be boring!

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction, Health, Self Help, Reference, Humor

Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

Reviews

[MAP · Rating 1 out of 5]

What a disgusting condescending and scientifically inaccurate book. As a researcher stuck on maternity leave, books like this really allowed me to let loose on going down peer reviewed rabbit holes. Surprise! All the scare-mongering about how formula is "dead [...] artificial" milk that tanks a kid's IQ points by 8-10 points (PLEASE - I'm a psychologist trained in IQ tests - if that were true we would have been taught it because NO single factor other than genetics and SES have that big an impact), keeps babies from bonding with mothers, keeps baby from being given ALL OF THE IMMUNITIES, etc etc etc are just...not held up by actual research. Sibling studies that control for maternal IQ and family SES/education found basically no differences between breast fed and formula fed babies.

Why can't people just be supportive of women who want to breastfeed without tearing down women who can't? Why is part of our modern culture that the only way to elevate one thing is to actively denigrate the other thing?

I spit on this book. Ptooi! Ptooi!

[Philitsa · Rating 4 out of 5]

My mother-in-law gave me this book for Christmas and I read it while pumping. The book was very informative and entertaining and I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a quick and light read on the subject of breastfeeding. The author shares some real-life examples of do's and don'ts that even I could relate to as a breastfeeding newbie.

I have one complaint that is not unique to this book. Every piece of printed material about breastfeeding I've come across (even the directions to the breast pump I have!) spends a good third of its real estate on the benefits of breastfeeding. A note to authors and publishers: If I purchased this book, breast pump, bottle, nipple, sterilization equipment, nursing pillow, etc., I'm probably past the point where I need to be convinced that breastfeeding is superior to bottle feeding with formula. Save some trees and ink!

[Eileen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars. If you are committed to breastfeeding your baby, this book will reaffirm that you are doing the right thing. If you are on the fence about it, it will convince you to at least try it out.Breastfeeding is definitely the best thing for baby. I knew that before of course but I never really gave much thought to formula. All that said, I don't know for how long I personally will breastfeed or how long I will exclusively breastfeed. The author is kind of all or nothing, as in she doesn't really condone supplementing or even pumping which I certainly don't agree with, particularly for working moms. She does say "a little is better than none" but she almost makes it sound like a little and none are the same thing. I certainly don't think I will still be breastfeeding when my baby is able to talk. But I guess you never know. I know after reading this book I will feel guilty about weaning/supplementing with formula. I doubt I need more guilt in my life. My attitude towards breastfeeding (and most parenting things, since I am new at all of this) is to see how it goes and do the best I can.

Editing several months later...

I now kind of wish I hadn't read this book. I had my baby 2/12 and I have not been successful w/ the breastfeeding. I keep thinking back to this book and I feel guilty for giving her formula. The book makes it sound like it's your fault if your supply is low (or you are just plain lying) and that formula is practically poison. My situation is unique and I have come to realize that you have to work w/ what you've been givin. I still feel that breastfeeding is best but if you can't do it for whatever reason, it doesn't mean you are a bad parent. At least, I hope not.

[Arlynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

My sister lent me this book when I was pregnant with my first baby. I really liked reading it, it was funny and informative. Little did I know how informative it was until I actually had my cute little baby home from the hospital. Besides my husband, I would have to credit this book with keeping me breastfeeding even when it seemed impossible to keep going. I bought my own copy when I was pregnant with my second child, and have been loaning it to friends ever since. Make the dad read it too, it will help him be more supportive.

[Krisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. It had good information but wasn't condescending like a lot of breastfeeding books tend to be. Most importantly it gave me a lot of confidence that I can in fact breastfeed.

[Trina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Working on baby number 2 has sent me to the book shelves to brush up on new baby parenting skills. I did not actually read this book when I had my first child. I just skimmed it, picking out nuggets I thought would be helpful. I was under the mindset "I am a woman, I have breast, how hard could breast feeding be?" So why bother reading a book on something that would just come naturally. I WAS SO WRONG! Information is a good thing and breast feeding does not "just come naturally". My experience nursing my first child was painful, tedious, messy and complicated. I nursed for a year and I don't say that with pride, I basically fumbled my way through that year until the day she bit me (she had all of her teeth by 1 years old and yes that is covered in this book)and I shut the breastaurants down for good.

All the preceding is to let new moms know, you need information on breastfeeding if you plan to do it. This book is dated the opposition to breastfeeding has died down considerably from 1996 when this book was published. It will give you a good place to start in order to understand what you will be doing with your breasts. It covers positioning, going back to work (pumping), and time frames and how to wean. Borrow it from a library or find it at a second hand bookstore (my copy is about to make its way to Half Price books in a couple of days) it will break down the things you need know so you can go out and find better resources.

[Laura Lucy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has some good tips, but like many parenting/pregnancy/baby books I think it belabors many points. What could be boiled down to a pamphlet takes up hundreds of pages. The author is obviously very pro breastfeeding. Other books I've read conflict with the mindset that the breast is the first, best and only answer to your baby's every cry, whine or grunt. I'm still a couple of weeks away from the arrival of my first child, so I'm no expert. I think I'll use some of the tips in this book, specifically those about getting baby to latch on, positioning, etc., but listen to other sources about when to use your brain instead of or in addition to your boob.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I skimmed through this book and it pissed me off enough to leave a two star review. There is some solid information but it leaves out so much about how hard breastfeeding truly is and what to do when you face challenges like too little milk production. It's not as simple as feed more, produce more. There needs to be more books that speak to the reality of what most women experience when it comes to breastfeeding and not demonizing formula supplementing if needed. Far too many scare tactics used in this book.

[Le Durecka · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the humor. There are some helpful points in the book. Obviously a breastfeeding book is going to be (shocking I know) pro breastfeeding, but I don't agree with the author's anti formula message. I know I'm new to motherhood but I already see you gotta be flexible. At the end of the day- your baby needs to eat and you are not a terrible mother if that happens with formula instead of breast milk.

[Nancy Messina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really thought this book had some great information on breastfeeding but I really wish there was a newer edition. Some of the information felt a bit dated. The information on breastfeeding your baby was great, but the statistics and studies were probably not as true now as they were when the book was written.

[Brooke Eisenacher · Rating 2 out of 5]

Has some great information in it. But it was sooooo pro breastfeeding that i found it tough to read. I wanted to learn how to do it, but wasn't of the mindset that formula is like giving my kid drugs either.

[Abbey Gates · Rating 1 out of 5]

Some good information in here but the sexist, heteronormativity throughout is really hard to stomach. The chapter about husbands being jealous and abusive (although not described this way) towards their wives for breastfeeding was disturbing.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the best book on breastfeeding that I read. I have given it to several new moms. It was one of the reasons that I was able to successfully nurse my children!

[Sam Soyka · Rating 1 out of 5]

Super outdated and full of anti-formula feeding data that I feel was taken out of context, misleading and manipulative.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was really beneficial for me to get a better idea of why breastfeeding is a good idea and how to do it. It also gives some general tips for when it doesn't go according to plan. There are also diagrams to help with various concepts the author describes throughout the book. It also provided resources and information so that I could have an open conversation about breastfeeding with my husband. And aside from evidence of why breastfeeding is good for baby, the author provides answers to common questions, fears, and concerns. If you plan to breastfeed or are on the fence about it, this is a good, helpful, and insightful read.

[Chandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

So That's What They're For! is an awesome book if you're considering breastfeeding or have already decided that it's for you, but would like some guidance. Tamaro addresses just about anything you can think of asking and has an excellent sense of humor! Not only was this great to read before the baby arrives, but I expect this will be invaluable once he's arrived and I need a quick answer to a question.

[Gloria Lucas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book: informative, funny, and light-hearted. I lent it out to as many friends as I could who either wanted or were on the fence about breastfeeding. They all loved it as well. I always recommend this to people who want to learn more about nursing in general or want a bit more support before their baby arrives.

[Weezie Canada · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full of lots of very helpful information, but the author was able to relay all this information in a fun and interesting manner. I laughed several times and enjoyed reading the book and found her tips and information most helpful on my breastfeeding journey. I breastfed all 3 of my sons for over a year each. It's definitely worth reading if you are even thinking about breastfeeding.

[Olivia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I honestly don't know how many times I've read this book. I nursed my son and this book saw me through it. For the weeks it took me to establish my supply, I'd sit and read this book while nursing him. I really wonder if I would have succeeded in breastfeeding without this book.

[Selena Beckman-Harned · Rating 3 out of 5]

The lighthearted tone of this book is very refreshing! It’s almost twenty years old, though, and some of its age is beginning to show. Still a lot of good, useful information, though.

[Bethany B. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slightly outdated, but helpful and A for effort on being upbeat and humorous.

[Ruxandra Tihon · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn’t necessary like her style but found some useful information in this book. Good read for new moms that want to breastfeed.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was organized well but the information felt very dated. I have learned more from @bemybreastfriend and @onewiththepump on Instagram than I did from this book.

[Sarah Parr · Rating 5 out of 5]

This books was helpful and enjoyable.

[B.Liu · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's an entertaining take on breastfeeding. Heteronormative, perhaps a bit outdated, and extreme at times; Probably the most informative and engaging book I've read on the topic this far.

[Eugenie Winkler · Rating 4 out of 5]

This had a lot of good information but is aggressively preachy. I understand it was written when the public opinion was against breastfeeding but now it just reads very preachy and judgmental.

The first two chapters are convincing you to breastfeed.
The weaning section is short and mostly tells you that if you're thinking about weaning really you should reconsider.

Otherwise it's a good book for someone who has already decided to breastfeed or is breastfeeding already.

[Lea Minniti · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unlike books in La Leche League's library, this book assumes a certain level of emotional discomfort with breastfeeding. It's written to confront the attitudes of mainstream U.S. culture toward breastfeeding, but sometimes the assumptions made were frustrating.

The tone is informal and casual, it's as if you're reading a book from a friend. This book does provide extremely useful information on how to overcome large and small problems with the mechanics of breastfeeding, how to deal with friends and family who are not supportive, as well as provides ample information about the physical and emotional benefits of breastfeeding. There's a good resource section in the back. This is an easy, fun read. I highly recommend it.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hear there's a story in this book about a gorilla who didn't know how to breastfeed (killed her first baby b/c of it), so the zoo called up LLL and they sent moms over to breastfeed their babies in front of the gorilla during her pregnancy and immediately postpartum so she could watch and learn how. I want to read it just for that story.

******

Ok. I really really think this book would be the perfect gift for a mom who has never breastfed before. It's light and funny and has very practical advice. My full review is here http://itsallaboutthehat.blogspot.com...

But yes, definitely recommended.

[Carina · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my sisters recommended this book to me. Though a little outdated and opinionated to the point of being a little ridiculous at times, it was an extremely informative resource. I simply skipped over the beginning parts that made you think you might as well murder your baby if you chose not to breastfeed them. It covers everything from positioning to latching, weaning, and even toddler breastfeeding (if you get that far). I will definitely be referencing this book later when I go back to work and have to worry about pumping and eventually weaning. Very easy to understand and full of helpful information. A must read for any mother planning to breastfeed.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

If breastfeeding can be funny then this book is perfect! It has more than enough scientific text to make it credible, but the author is witty enough that I actually looked forward to reading about the topic. I have read a few other related books and this is by far the best for expecting, new and experienced mothers regardless of their choice to breastfeed or not. My only complaint is the cover looks outdated but the book is so relevant and contemporary. The cover art does no justice for the content inside.