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The Breastfeeding Mother's Guide to Making More Milk
Concerned about making enough milk for your baby? Wondering how to make more? Two lactation experts are here to help.
Separate fact from fiction with help from this comprehensive book about improving low milk supply. Written by two leading experts who have been there themselves and officially recommended by La Leche League International, The Breastfeeding Mother's Guide to Making More Milk incorporates the latest research and discoveries about causes of low milk supply, the way your body makes milk, and how babies contribute to your milk production. Best of all, you'll find valuable suggestions for both time-honored and innovative ways to make more milk.
Learn the facts about:
Determining if baby is really getting enough milk
Supplementing without decreasing your supply
Maximizing the amount of milk you can make
Identifying the causes of your low supply
Increasing your supply with the most effective methods, including pumping, herbs, medications, foods, and alternative therapies
Making more milk when you return to work, exclusively pump, have a premie or multiples, relactate, or induce lactation
Separate fact from fiction with help from this comprehensive book about improving low milk supply. Written by two leading experts who have been there themselves and officially recommended by La Leche League International, The Breastfeeding Mother's Guide to Making More Milk incorporates the latest research and discoveries about causes of low milk supply, the way your body makes milk, and how babies contribute to your milk production. Best of all, you'll find valuable suggestions for both time-honored and innovative ways to make more milk.
Learn the facts about:
Determining if baby is really getting enough milk
Supplementing without decreasing your supply
Maximizing the amount of milk you can make
Identifying the causes of your low supply
Increasing your supply with the most effective methods, including pumping, herbs, medications, foods, and alternative therapies
Making more milk when you return to work, exclusively pump, have a premie or multiples, relactate, or induce lactation
304 pages, Paperback
First published October 25, 2008
124 people are currently reading
258 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
February 6, 2009
I finally sat down with this new release and was very impressed. I had the good fortune of attending a conference where Lisa Marasco was one of the keynote speakers, but this book is going to be an invaluable reference for my practice.
Written for the mother, it is equally useful to the lactation consultant. It's informative but accessible. It was filled with tidbits that were new to me (for example, that studies have shown chiropractic to be an effective intervention for low milk supply).
I would caution the average reader to remember that far more women have TOO much milk, rather than not enough milk, and the tools in this book (especially the preventative ones) are directed to people who concerned that their supply will be compromised for a good reason--past history, fertility complications, breast shape, etc. Your mother or grandmother's reports that she didn't make enough milk should be taken lightly, as lactation management was poor in previous generations and it's not unlikely that their problems were created by poor management.
Written for the mother, it is equally useful to the lactation consultant. It's informative but accessible. It was filled with tidbits that were new to me (for example, that studies have shown chiropractic to be an effective intervention for low milk supply).
I would caution the average reader to remember that far more women have TOO much milk, rather than not enough milk, and the tools in this book (especially the preventative ones) are directed to people who concerned that their supply will be compromised for a good reason--past history, fertility complications, breast shape, etc. Your mother or grandmother's reports that she didn't make enough milk should be taken lightly, as lactation management was poor in previous generations and it's not unlikely that their problems were created by poor management.
February 27, 2013
After flipping through 3 breastfeeding books for help with my low milk supply, none of them had more than 3 or 4 helpful pages in them and most were along the lines of "are you really sure there's a problem or are you just doing something wrong?." One book, rather than exploring this in detail, recommended getting THIS book if you really wanted to know what was up. I am so glad I did. It presents the milk-making equation and breaks down in a simple yet analytic way how to go through your own process of elimination to address the causes of low milk supply. I like how the authors use analogies to help explain concepts yet do not skimp on technical medical information and terms. This book is empowering and even if you don't "fix" your problem and exclusively breastfeed, it builds you up and helps you rest assured to do the most with what you have (there are even sections on coping with your emotions about low milk supply and what to do for your next pregnancy).
March 24, 2009
I wish this book was a must read for all mothers - those who think they dont have enough milk ( but actually do , they just are not feeding the baby enough) and those who dont . Its excellent particularly the last chapter - making peace with your supply. I have 4 copies - 3 out on loan at moment :)
September 26, 2017
This is a really fantastic resource for anyone dealing with concerns about milk supply, or for anyone who works with breastfeeding families.
September 13, 2012
I found this book a little late in the game of breastfeeding my first child. From the beginning I had a rocky time. So many ups and downs. So after 6 months of exhaustive nursing and pumping I was still having a multitude of problems with my milk production. It's so unnerving. My daughter wasn't getting enough milk and she was really suffering growth wise as she went from the 5th percentile to the 3rd. So plague with all this guilt and fear that I wasn't able to give my daughter what she needed nutritionally I still knew that going with the breast was best. I had come that far and I wasn't ready to give up.
I can across this book and it truly did help me. It helped me figure out approximately how much I was actually making which sadly wasn't a lot, but with the help and guidance in certain directions that book offered suggestions in I was able to nurse 3 months longer. I found it as a very helpful reference book along with the Sears' The Breastfeeding Book as a helpful companions in the rocky, rollarcoaster world of breastfeeding.
I can across this book and it truly did help me. It helped me figure out approximately how much I was actually making which sadly wasn't a lot, but with the help and guidance in certain directions that book offered suggestions in I was able to nurse 3 months longer. I found it as a very helpful reference book along with the Sears' The Breastfeeding Book as a helpful companions in the rocky, rollarcoaster world of breastfeeding.
July 30, 2012
I got this book at the recommendation of my lactation consultant and read it over a weekend. The advice is really good and I learned a lot, which is saying something because I'm a second time parent who breastfed my first kid. Granted, I didn't have breastfeeding issues with my first, so it would seem that I didn't know as much as I thought.
I used the advice on herbal remedies to increase milk supply and how to have the sitter feed my kiddo so as not to demolish my milk supply. I learned about hormonal imbalances, which it seems I may have and what to do about them.
The tone of the book is conversational and not condescending. The advice isn't outrageous and the authors recognize that it is not easy to have to pump multiple times a day and their advice comes across with compassion and is not flippant. They also acknowledge the emotions that may arise from having difficulty nursing and offer empathy as well as advice.
I used the advice on herbal remedies to increase milk supply and how to have the sitter feed my kiddo so as not to demolish my milk supply. I learned about hormonal imbalances, which it seems I may have and what to do about them.
The tone of the book is conversational and not condescending. The advice isn't outrageous and the authors recognize that it is not easy to have to pump multiple times a day and their advice comes across with compassion and is not flippant. They also acknowledge the emotions that may arise from having difficulty nursing and offer empathy as well as advice.
August 27, 2012
This was a really good book, especially considering the difficulties I had with breastfeeding. While I can't go back and change what already happened, I can be more confident about future breastfeeding endeavors.
The chapter on emotional reasons for low milk supply and the feelings associated with the entire process were particularly validating. From that standpoint, this book was healing for me.
If you had trouble breastfeeding but plan to try again with a new baby, or if you've never breastfed and want to know how to be sure you're doing the best you can, this is a good place to start!
The chapter on emotional reasons for low milk supply and the feelings associated with the entire process were particularly validating. From that standpoint, this book was healing for me.
If you had trouble breastfeeding but plan to try again with a new baby, or if you've never breastfed and want to know how to be sure you're doing the best you can, this is a good place to start!
November 17, 2012
An AMAZING, comprehensive guide to how your body makes milk and how to try to get it to make more. If you haven't given birth yet and you really want to breastfeed, get this book and read chapter 5 "Getting Your Milk Supply off to a Good Start" to help head off problems so you won't need to try to make more milk!
In the midst of trying to make more milk, this book has been a fabulous guide to evaluating all the suggestions given to a new mom struggling with low supply!
And the book concludes with two fabulous chapters for after you've tried everything in the book - "Coping with Low Supply" and "What About Next Time?"
In the midst of trying to make more milk, this book has been a fabulous guide to evaluating all the suggestions given to a new mom struggling with low supply!
And the book concludes with two fabulous chapters for after you've tried everything in the book - "Coping with Low Supply" and "What About Next Time?"
November 21, 2014
Positive motivation to continue on the journey of breastfeeding
Reading this book although not as lengthy as I thought it would be for the price paid on an e-book, was a good tool. I am the mother of an 8 years old, 2 year old and 5month old. I for the first time am a struggling milk supplier after successfully breastfeeding my first two daughters for 16 months each. This book is for the toolbox of knowledge, and defines a lot of the questions most breastfeeding mothers have. Thank you.
Reading this book although not as lengthy as I thought it would be for the price paid on an e-book, was a good tool. I am the mother of an 8 years old, 2 year old and 5month old. I for the first time am a struggling milk supplier after successfully breastfeeding my first two daughters for 16 months each. This book is for the toolbox of knowledge, and defines a lot of the questions most breastfeeding mothers have. Thank you.
April 5, 2009
This is an invaluable resource both for lactation professionals and for any mother who has ever had a concern about her milk supply. The book (1) helps identify whether there is indeed a problem with supply, (2) discusses possible physical, hormonal, and psychological causes for low milk supply, and (3) offers steps to take to increase milk supply. Even after two years as a breastfeeding counselor I learned a great deal from this book. It's easy to read but packed with valuable information.
July 5, 2013
A great resource for the mom desiring more milk. I'm glad I'm reading this a couple weeks before giving birth, but will definitely keep it around to use it as a reference in case any nursing problems arise after the baby is born. The intended audience is for those with specific problems as opposed to simply nursing in general, that said since nursing in general seems to have enough problems, this is a great book to at least flip through for those expecting to breastfeed.
January 30, 2016
A must read for any mother concerned about her supply. It has great information about basics and what you should expect and recognizing when supplementation is needed. All breastfeeding helpers should read this book to help support moms. I have skimmed through several chapters and have recommended it several times over because I could tell that it was a quality book but this was my first time reading the whole thing.
January 19, 2011
This book contains a lot of excellent information and solutions. It covers food and herbal galactogues - both of which have given me the very best results when building up milk supply. Definitely worth reading if you suffer from milk supply problems. I also recommend the amazing book, "Mother Food" by Hilary Jacobson.
March 18, 2012
A really informative and supportive book for people struggling to breastfeed. It's very non-judgemental and has some excellent ideas and resources. It helps you make the most of what you have if you can't breastfeed exclusively and I was particularly impressed with the information on available herbal remedies.
August 4, 2012
I cannot recommend this book enough. I truly wish I had had this book with my first child; I can't help but think that I would have had fewer supply issues with this book on hand. I didn't have nearly the feeding/milk supply issues with my second but it was a comfort in those first few months. Excellent resource for pregnant or breastfeeding moms to have on hand!
August 2, 2013
This little book is helpful! I own it, and still find myself referring to it. There’s a lot of knowledge out there that isn’t shared these days concerning breastfeeding and breastmilk supply. As a working Mom, it is very difficult to keep your supply levels up, especially if you are trying for a year or more! Lots of little tidbits of helpful information, plus the low down on supplements.
November 3, 2016
Very useful book. I learned most of what was in here already but I learned a few gems (like when I have my second kid I will need a new pump, I should have been taking vitamin B12 from the start as a breastfeeding vegetarian, and calcium will help keep your supply even when you're on your period). If you think you are having milk supply issues this is definitely a book you should read.
January 17, 2009
This was the most informative book I have ever read concerning low milk supply specificly. With the informaition I learned, I am well on my way to being able to successfully breastfeed my baby to be after many struggles and frustrations with previous attempts at nursing.
January 8, 2013
An excellent read for the nursing Mother who has or thinks she has milk supply issues. Non judgemental and covers numerous approaches to building milk supply. I recommend it to my mothers who are really struggling with milk supply.
November 13, 2014
Sometimes small things stick out about a book, and although I liked this overall, I can't believe the authors put vegetarianism under the heading "Eating Disorders" right next to anorexia and bulimia. Still gave it four stars for all the useful information, but seriously? A disorder?
March 19, 2015
This book contains great advice on how to determine the cause of your supply problems. It also has good information on common, and uncommon, herbs, foods, and medications that can affect your milk supply; in addition to their other side effects.
April 27, 2016
Fantastic resource!
This book covers all of the likely causes and possible solutions for low milk production. It finally consolidates the fragmented information that you can find across the Internet and adds much more, including an understanding of the bio-mechanisms involved.
This book covers all of the likely causes and possible solutions for low milk production. It finally consolidates the fragmented information that you can find across the Internet and adds much more, including an understanding of the bio-mechanisms involved.
February 19, 2015
Super helpful
August 12, 2020
Very helpful book. It explains milk production and examines many different causes of low milk supply and gives basic solutions. Some problems are more intense than others and may need additional research, but this is still a good resource to point you in the right direction. It also discusses how to tell the difference between low milk supply and simply misreading baby's cues.
The authors have both had low milk supply issues and have a very kind and compassionate tone for mothers who are desperately trying to fix a problem. Most of the time when I read breastfeeding advice there's an undercurrent of judgement towards anyone who uses formula or gives up, but you won't find that here. I really appreciated the non-judgement and kindness in the book.
My only disappointment is that some of the links led to dead ends, but I guess that's only to be expected in a book that's over a decade old. I assume that their new edition that came out this year (which I kinda wish I'd gotten a hold of, but didn't realize it was available until I was in the middle of this one) will have updated links.
The authors have both had low milk supply issues and have a very kind and compassionate tone for mothers who are desperately trying to fix a problem. Most of the time when I read breastfeeding advice there's an undercurrent of judgement towards anyone who uses formula or gives up, but you won't find that here. I really appreciated the non-judgement and kindness in the book.
My only disappointment is that some of the links led to dead ends, but I guess that's only to be expected in a book that's over a decade old. I assume that their new edition that came out this year (which I kinda wish I'd gotten a hold of, but didn't realize it was available until I was in the middle of this one) will have updated links.
March 18, 2019
I started reading this with my second baby while I was pumping at work. I did this because I felt like my supply had dropped after I returned to work. I would definitely say the information in the book is well-researched and good, but really needs to be read either during pregnancy or right after the baby is born to get the best use out of it.
I stopped reading at about 62% because I had start taking a medication for a congenital heart condition I have that isn't recommended for usage while breastfeeding (and pumping) when my baby was about six months old. And so, any more information I may have learned at that point would have been moot because I won't be having any more children.
All in all, I'd say this is a good book full of lots of good information, but needs to be read at the "right time".
I stopped reading at about 62% because I had start taking a medication for a congenital heart condition I have that isn't recommended for usage while breastfeeding (and pumping) when my baby was about six months old. And so, any more information I may have learned at that point would have been moot because I won't be having any more children.
All in all, I'd say this is a good book full of lots of good information, but needs to be read at the "right time".
December 10, 2018
Never thought I'd be reading/reviewing a book like this, but life changes when you have a baby. I was a little hesitant to order this given that I really disliked another book by the same author, but I liked the tone of this one much more and found it very helpful. Though it didn't necessarily help me "solve my problem" of low milk production, it helped me understand the possible factors better and I now feel more empowered with more knowledge about feeding my baby. We are not EBF by any means and this book did not shame me for that as some other books do.
July 14, 2019
A good insightful read
This was a great eye opener for me and has already helped me start to build a good supply for my newborn. Plenty of great advice and information and definitely a must read for any mother that intends to breast feed their baby.
This was a great eye opener for me and has already helped me start to build a good supply for my newborn. Plenty of great advice and information and definitely a must read for any mother that intends to breast feed their baby.
April 17, 2024
Full of good advice for new mums struggling on their breastfeeding journey. Straight forward and easy to understand. The section covering the impact of low supply on mental health touched a nerve but was exactly what i needed to read at the time.
August 11, 2017
Great read
Loved how thorough this book was. Great for any mom looking to up their milk production. Wish I would have read this before my baby was born.
Loved how thorough this book was. Great for any mom looking to up their milk production. Wish I would have read this before my baby was born.
January 9, 2018
Extremely helpful breastfeeding book. Lots of great background information, techniques to increase supply, and no formula shaming! Would be a great read for every Mom planning to breastfeed.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews