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How My Breasts Saved the World: Misadventures of a Nursing Mother
Breast is best" in the 21st century; research supports breast milk as the best food for babies. But there's little said about the realities of nursing for the nursing mother. Is nursing an innate calling or a learned skill? Lisa Wood Shapiro assumes that she will be a natural-after all, hadn't Brooke Shields put baby to breast without a hitch in The Blue Lagoon ? Surely after spending nine months gripped by labor fears, a brand new mom could count on the simple joy of seeing her newborn latch on and drink. Turns out, it's not that simple. Filled with panic and convinced that her breasts will explode, Lisa finally reaches out for help. Two lactation consultants, one support group, and a week's worth of cold cabbage leaves later, she learns how to survive-and prosper-as a nursing mom.
In this laugh-out-loud book, Lisa depicts her struggles and triumphs with humor and humility. She offers advice, addresses rumors, and breaks taboos with the candor of a best friend and the voice of experience. Among her Breastfeeding doesn't really burn as many calories as running a marathon every day; the "Brest Friend" pillow really is a mother's best friend; new moms fib about nursing more than money or sex. And manual pumping? Forget about it!
How My Breasts Saved the World is a must-read for every expectant and new mother. Sure, saving the world might be a lofty claim, but civilization was built on breast milk. And if a reader learns anything from this book, it's that a nursing mother is always right.
In this laugh-out-loud book, Lisa depicts her struggles and triumphs with humor and humility. She offers advice, addresses rumors, and breaks taboos with the candor of a best friend and the voice of experience. Among her Breastfeeding doesn't really burn as many calories as running a marathon every day; the "Brest Friend" pillow really is a mother's best friend; new moms fib about nursing more than money or sex. And manual pumping? Forget about it!
How My Breasts Saved the World is a must-read for every expectant and new mother. Sure, saving the world might be a lofty claim, but civilization was built on breast milk. And if a reader learns anything from this book, it's that a nursing mother is always right.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2004
28 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
October 19, 2008
I had to read this book because of the title. Sadly, the title was my favorite part of the book. It was funny, but I couldn't really relate to the author. It's all about how she didn't want to nurse too long and didn't like it, but did it any and encouraged other nursing moms to join a support group. I respect that she did it anyway because she knew it was better for her baby. She was of the mindset that women can work, go out with friends, have children, etc, etc, etc. Women can have it all, do it all, be it all 100%. I don't agree, something has to suffer. But the title was funny and I totally agree. I am a huge believer in the power of breastfeeding and that it can save the world, one well-loved-and-nourished child at a time! :)
January 12, 2009
I read this when I was a new mom and alternately thought it was at turns stupid and awesome, which is pretty much how I felt at the time. Mostly, though, it was nice to read about nursing in a "normal" book--not a how-to or a why-to. Hate the title, but the book's pretty good.
March 5, 2008
This woman's retelling of the craziness involved in try to nurse is spot on, if a bit hysterial at times, but also includes some realistic tips and expectations in VERY funny prose.
February 11, 2020
This is an approachable and realistic account of adjusting to life as a new breastfeeding mother. Even though I didn’t have such a dramatic experience, it was really fun to read! I think there are elements of shared truth in all books about the transition to new motherhood, so the more the merrier!
June 27, 2012
I ran across this book at our bookstore and took a chance on it. Baby books can be hit or miss. One I read was so bad I did not even want to review it. I liked how the book started: with this idealized version of how her mother and other female family members discussed breastfeeding as though they had all done it for years and it was so easy...
Years ago, I asked Linda if she had breastfed all of us. “Yes, all of you were breastfed.” Well, ok. Then later I thought to ask more.
“How long did you breastfeed Mt?”
“Oh, almost a year I suppose.”
“Erica?”
“Eight months.”
“John?”
“I quit work with John, so 6 months I think.”
“Me?”
“You were breast fed.”
“For how long?”
“You were breastfed.”
I finally got out of her that I was breastfed for almost a month before she went back to work.
This book turned out to be just wonderful and full of all kinds of interesting tidbits. The author wrote the story basically as an extension of her quest to explain to new mothers how difficult breastfeeding is and how important getting help is to your success. She walks all over Brooklyn telling new moms about her nursing group and breastfeeding pillows, and leaking boobs, and on and on. Her husband tries to shut her down a few times, but to no avail.
Her tips, scattered throughout, are lovely.
• Re-load the diaper bag as soon as you get home so it is ready to go when you are ready to leave again. Getting out of the house is 100% of the battle.
• When making homemade cupcakes, use the food processor and just put the batter into the cupcake papers directly on a cookie sheet rather than using a muffin tin.
• Get a lactation consultant early and often. It is worth the expense.
• The latch is the hardest part.
I keep thinking about the book and telling my friends who are expecting what Lisa said: it is hard, so get help. I haven’t even tried it yet...but I am leaking. (Is that TMI?)
Years ago, I asked Linda if she had breastfed all of us. “Yes, all of you were breastfed.” Well, ok. Then later I thought to ask more.
“How long did you breastfeed Mt?”
“Oh, almost a year I suppose.”
“Erica?”
“Eight months.”
“John?”
“I quit work with John, so 6 months I think.”
“Me?”
“You were breast fed.”
“For how long?”
“You were breastfed.”
I finally got out of her that I was breastfed for almost a month before she went back to work.
This book turned out to be just wonderful and full of all kinds of interesting tidbits. The author wrote the story basically as an extension of her quest to explain to new mothers how difficult breastfeeding is and how important getting help is to your success. She walks all over Brooklyn telling new moms about her nursing group and breastfeeding pillows, and leaking boobs, and on and on. Her husband tries to shut her down a few times, but to no avail.
Her tips, scattered throughout, are lovely.
• Re-load the diaper bag as soon as you get home so it is ready to go when you are ready to leave again. Getting out of the house is 100% of the battle.
• When making homemade cupcakes, use the food processor and just put the batter into the cupcake papers directly on a cookie sheet rather than using a muffin tin.
• Get a lactation consultant early and often. It is worth the expense.
• The latch is the hardest part.
I keep thinking about the book and telling my friends who are expecting what Lisa said: it is hard, so get help. I haven’t even tried it yet...but I am leaking. (Is that TMI?)
May 22, 2019
How My Breasts Saved the World is an enjoyable (and a bit wistful, for those of us who are past that stage) look at the first year of motherhood from the perspective of a nursing mother. Lisa Wood Shapiro shares everything about life during the final days of pregnancy, childbirth, and getting to know and nurture little Sophie.
Everything Shapiro knew about breastfeeding, she learned from Brooke Shields. No, not mother-of-two-in-real-life Brooke Shields, but the young girl she portrayed in the movie The Blue Lagoon. In the movie, she made it look so easy—just bring the baby up to your breast, and presto! The baby is fed and happy. But reality is not as neat and tidy as it appears in the movies, as Shapiro quickly found out. Breastfeeding is difficult; sometimes it seems downright impossible. There’s the engorgement, flat nipples, poor latching, leaking, thirst, and many other trials and tribulations.
Shapiro learned through trial and error how to solve her problems. She acquired a lactation consultant, joined a breastfeeding support group, and became an encouragement to others (although almost too much so, if you ask her husband). Through it all, she also learned what being a mother really means, and that motherhood often brings with it a time of re-evaluation of priorities. I really appreciate the fact that she shares her struggles with working and being a mother and all of the decisions that needed to be made in regards to that issue. Her conflicts are universal, and she doesn’t present a “my way is better” philosophy; she just walks us through what happened to her.
I felt quite nostalgic while reading How My Breasts Saved the World, because I’m past this stage of life. I do think that anyone who has, is, or is planning to nurse a baby will get a lot out of this book. Shapiro’s writing style and easygoing manner flows well and allows the reader to laugh, cry, and groan with sympathy (and maybe empathy) at all of her experiences.
Everything Shapiro knew about breastfeeding, she learned from Brooke Shields. No, not mother-of-two-in-real-life Brooke Shields, but the young girl she portrayed in the movie The Blue Lagoon. In the movie, she made it look so easy—just bring the baby up to your breast, and presto! The baby is fed and happy. But reality is not as neat and tidy as it appears in the movies, as Shapiro quickly found out. Breastfeeding is difficult; sometimes it seems downright impossible. There’s the engorgement, flat nipples, poor latching, leaking, thirst, and many other trials and tribulations.
Shapiro learned through trial and error how to solve her problems. She acquired a lactation consultant, joined a breastfeeding support group, and became an encouragement to others (although almost too much so, if you ask her husband). Through it all, she also learned what being a mother really means, and that motherhood often brings with it a time of re-evaluation of priorities. I really appreciate the fact that she shares her struggles with working and being a mother and all of the decisions that needed to be made in regards to that issue. Her conflicts are universal, and she doesn’t present a “my way is better” philosophy; she just walks us through what happened to her.
I felt quite nostalgic while reading How My Breasts Saved the World, because I’m past this stage of life. I do think that anyone who has, is, or is planning to nurse a baby will get a lot out of this book. Shapiro’s writing style and easygoing manner flows well and allows the reader to laugh, cry, and groan with sympathy (and maybe empathy) at all of her experiences.
February 25, 2011
I wanted to love this book. Instead I kept wondering how a grown woman wouldn't educate herself before having a baby. It blew my mind how little Shapiro knew even beyond breastfeeding. I spent most of the book wondering if she had taken the time to even just pick up What to Expect When You're Expecting how different her experience would be. If I had read this as an expectant mother I would have been terrified. Instead of being a warning to pick up a book, she comes across as though nursing should be hard for everyone - and it isn't. All in all it was a quick read, and I finished it in less than a day. However, I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone.
August 6, 2012
I didn't know this was more of a how-to book, but it was. It was actually really funny - just a straightforward description of trying to figure out breastfeeding with her first child. "Then I called the lactation consultant and couldn't get an appointment til Monday. So I cried. Then my husband brought me take-out" Interesting only (and only barely) if you've been there, I guess, which I have, but I still can't believe she got a book deal for this..
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January 26, 2016It's a great book to show that help in the early days when breastfeeding can be so important. In Australia we have the Australian Breastfeeding Association and their Helpline 1800 686 2 686. breastfeeding.asn.au It's important to read good information and be able to weed out what people tell you, as they will often tell you complete crap. Lisa realises that if she sought help early, she would've had a smoother journey.
November 7, 2008
Even though it wasn't the most literary of memoirs, this book was the right thing for me at the right time. There doesn't seem to be much honest writing out there about what it's like to be a nursing mother, and I tore this book up for personal connections. I recommend new moms to read it during their first month of breastfeeding.
June 17, 2009
I read this during the "fourth trimester" with my newborn, so the experiences were immediately relevant and funny to me. I don't think the book would be of much interest to anyone other than the parent (and probably only the mother) of a newborn. Still, it was an amusing memoir that was a good choice for me during the postpartum period.
August 11, 2016
Hilarious. I found it while perusing the parenting shelf at my local library. Really glad I picked it up, and I read it within a day. While I couldn't relate to everything, the memoir of nursing really struck a cord. And it's written in such a way that keeps you laughing. I should look and see if she has a blog ...
November 25, 2007
I read this book when Xavier was just a tiny baby, and I felt like I was glued to the couch and breastfeeding for 3 months straight - Ha ha!! It was nice for me to read about the experiences of another nursing mom so I didn't feel like I was going out of my mind.
July 1, 2008
Lisa Shapiro's take on breastfeeding, her ups and downs with the whole thing, was fantastic. Hilarious, and totally relatable. (Well, probably not so relatable if you haven't had an infant depending on you for sustenance... then, actually, the book might be a bit of breast overkill.)
August 20, 2009
For anyone who has breast fed or just had a first baby in general this book will make you laugh. I have been through MANY of the situations in this book and glad I wasn't the only person who had her experiences.
September 24, 2010
Funny -- definitely something I can appreciate better these days. It makes me feel lucky that I was so paranoid about breastfeeding that I read three books on breastfeeding before my son was born. Although now I'm wondering if our latch is as good as I thought it was...
October 17, 2024
I loved this book so much; it was hilarious! In fact, I often buy it to give to new moms. I recommend it for any new mom trying to be a great mom and who finds that breastfeeding isn't as easy for some of us as it is for others.
September 25, 2014
Awesome, especially if you're going through it. Her advice to buy some good nursing/sleeping bras before the end of the breastfeeding was spot on. I read this- rather, gobbled it up- in my 2nd month of breastfeeding. Easy to read style, and very relatable.
October 3, 2007
This book was pretty bad, starting with its terribly misleading title.
October 30, 2015
Very self-absorbed description of life from a breastfeeding mother, however, it made me laugh at a time that I desperately needed to laugh
April 16, 2008
Funny, perfect for those first few weeks after delivery. Shows how complicated the body really is how we mothers will go to the ends of the earth to do what's "best" for baby.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 21, 2008
I first read this after Jocy. But after I finished nursing. I think every expecting mom should be given this book. It helped not feel so only thru the trials and errors of breastfeeding.
April 1, 2008
a great read for a nursing mother...
May 26, 2008
Must read for new nursing mothers!
August 24, 2008
Ok, let me be clear that this is for the new nursing moms. Recommend reading this about 4 to 6 weeks into breastfeeding. Whether you are having difficulty or not, this will make you laugh.
October 6, 2008
lol funny
April 21, 2009
Great so far- funny, poignant and true to life... I definitely recommend it for anyone who is/was/wants to be pregnant and is considering/has/is breastfeeding...
April 20, 2009
Read this while pregnant with baby #2. This one made me giggle. New moms will understand.
May 8, 2010
New moms will love this book! I related to a lot of what the author was going through during her baby's first year.
April 8, 2012
Every nursing momma should read this for pure comic relief. Loved it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews