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Milk: A Story of Breastfeeding in a Society That's Forgotten How
Emma Rosen assumed that breastfeeding would be easy. After all, it is the natural way for humans to feed our offspring and women have been doing it for millennia.
Motherhood turned Emma’s world upside down. Despite meticulous preparations and the best of intentions, breastfeeding was one of the greatest challenges she had to face. With conflicting advice and mounting pressure to stop from family, friends and health care professionals, would Emma be able to overcome the many obstacles and breastfeed her baby, as she so desperately wanted?
In this memoir, Emma tells her story, interwoven with everything she’s learned about why, in our society, breastfeeding is far from easy. Milk is both emotional and heartwarming in the way that only a mother’s story can be. It is a must-have book for all breastfeeding mothers and those supporting them.
Motherhood turned Emma’s world upside down. Despite meticulous preparations and the best of intentions, breastfeeding was one of the greatest challenges she had to face. With conflicting advice and mounting pressure to stop from family, friends and health care professionals, would Emma be able to overcome the many obstacles and breastfeed her baby, as she so desperately wanted?
In this memoir, Emma tells her story, interwoven with everything she’s learned about why, in our society, breastfeeding is far from easy. Milk is both emotional and heartwarming in the way that only a mother’s story can be. It is a must-have book for all breastfeeding mothers and those supporting them.
388 pages, Paperback
Published October 22, 2018
5 people are currently reading
15 people want to read
About the author
Emma Rosen
11 books25 followersEmma Rosen and her husband live in Kent and have three adorable children and a silly dog.
After ten years as a biology teacher, Emma now works full time as a writer, with particular interests in marine ecology, early parenting and independent publishing. She has degrees in marine biology and in education.
Emma is passionate about breastfeeding support and volunteers as a peer supporter at a local group. When she’s not writing or relaxing with her family, Emma makes YouTube videos, spends time by the sea and sings in a band.
After ten years as a biology teacher, Emma now works full time as a writer, with particular interests in marine ecology, early parenting and independent publishing. She has degrees in marine biology and in education.
Emma is passionate about breastfeeding support and volunteers as a peer supporter at a local group. When she’s not writing or relaxing with her family, Emma makes YouTube videos, spends time by the sea and sings in a band.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
November 10, 2019
I have tremendously enjoyed reading this book! Emma and I did a book swap - I sent her my book, Whispers and Other Strange Stories, and she sent me hers.
I don't have kids and don't plan having any anytime soon, so the subject of breastfeeding is not something I would say I was extremely interested in. Reading about Emma's experiences however opened my eyes to all sorts of facts and I learned quite a few useful tips from this book.
The reasons why I wanted to read this book were:
To do research for one of my future novels (I had characters in my first novel who had young babies and decided that I need to learn more about what that means so I can make good decisions for the sequel and don't annoy real parents with my inaccuracies);
My partner's sister is expecting her first baby any day now and I wanted to have some knowledge in this field so I can offer any help, if needed.🤗
I think this memoir is a great account on how to deal with the emotion and struggles of being a parent, especially a mother.
It is clear that Emma is so passionate about this subject and it's evident why. Having support while going through these sort of changes is of upmost importance. I think my own mother and many other women could have benefitted of having access to a book such as this one. I know I am grateful I got to read it because if I'll ever have a child I will be a bit more comfortable and not so overwhelmed not knowing how to deal with absolutely everything baby related.😉
I think other mothers tend to paint being a parent like a completely blissful experience, almost excluding the bad times (other than mentioning the obvious - the birth and the crying babies and sleepless nights - I have not heard of other painful factors, or at least I haven't been much exposed to those). Emma has really painted what I think was a raw and truthful account of her experiences, and this lifts her book above many others, in my opinion.
There were a few punctuation mistakes that bothered me a bit, but, other than that, reading this book has enriched my life.
If I could give a suggestion, is that I would have enjoyed to see a few photos of those moments Emma mentioned she had proof of. I think it would have added even more warmth to her book. Maybe something to consider for a second edition?😉
I don't have kids and don't plan having any anytime soon, so the subject of breastfeeding is not something I would say I was extremely interested in. Reading about Emma's experiences however opened my eyes to all sorts of facts and I learned quite a few useful tips from this book.
The reasons why I wanted to read this book were:
To do research for one of my future novels (I had characters in my first novel who had young babies and decided that I need to learn more about what that means so I can make good decisions for the sequel and don't annoy real parents with my inaccuracies);
My partner's sister is expecting her first baby any day now and I wanted to have some knowledge in this field so I can offer any help, if needed.🤗
I think this memoir is a great account on how to deal with the emotion and struggles of being a parent, especially a mother.
It is clear that Emma is so passionate about this subject and it's evident why. Having support while going through these sort of changes is of upmost importance. I think my own mother and many other women could have benefitted of having access to a book such as this one. I know I am grateful I got to read it because if I'll ever have a child I will be a bit more comfortable and not so overwhelmed not knowing how to deal with absolutely everything baby related.😉
I think other mothers tend to paint being a parent like a completely blissful experience, almost excluding the bad times (other than mentioning the obvious - the birth and the crying babies and sleepless nights - I have not heard of other painful factors, or at least I haven't been much exposed to those). Emma has really painted what I think was a raw and truthful account of her experiences, and this lifts her book above many others, in my opinion.
There were a few punctuation mistakes that bothered me a bit, but, other than that, reading this book has enriched my life.
If I could give a suggestion, is that I would have enjoyed to see a few photos of those moments Emma mentioned she had proof of. I think it would have added even more warmth to her book. Maybe something to consider for a second edition?😉
October 16, 2019
I was sent a copy of this book by the author in exchange for a copy of one of mine, but while I think it’s important to include a disclaimer here, it doesn’t affect my opinion of the book. In fact, I was a little worried that I wasn’t going to be able to enjoy it purely because of the subject matter. It’s basically a mixture between a memoir and a how-to guide for breastfeeding, but there are a few things to it that I think make it accessible to a more general readership than new and expectant mums.
For a start, there’s the research that Rosen carried out, and indeed at the end of the book there’s a comprehensive list of all of the sources that were used if you want to read more. This is coupled with Rosen’s own reminiscences, so you get just the right mixture of anecdotal versus scientific evidence. For me, that’s something that I actively try to seek out in the books that I read, and I think that Rosen did a cracking job of things.
The only thing that I can really complain about here is the fact that it felt a little bit top heavy, in that the first half of the book dealt with her first child, then the following third dealt with her second and the final sixth of it covered her third and final child. But I suppose that can’t be helped because of the nature of the book – by the time that she had her third child, there was less for her to learn, although there were still a few bits here and there that she still had to discover.
All in all, I’m sure that this book isn’t for everyone, but then I thought it wouldn’t be for me and I was pleasantly surprised. Good stuff!
For a start, there’s the research that Rosen carried out, and indeed at the end of the book there’s a comprehensive list of all of the sources that were used if you want to read more. This is coupled with Rosen’s own reminiscences, so you get just the right mixture of anecdotal versus scientific evidence. For me, that’s something that I actively try to seek out in the books that I read, and I think that Rosen did a cracking job of things.
The only thing that I can really complain about here is the fact that it felt a little bit top heavy, in that the first half of the book dealt with her first child, then the following third dealt with her second and the final sixth of it covered her third and final child. But I suppose that can’t be helped because of the nature of the book – by the time that she had her third child, there was less for her to learn, although there were still a few bits here and there that she still had to discover.
All in all, I’m sure that this book isn’t for everyone, but then I thought it wouldn’t be for me and I was pleasantly surprised. Good stuff!
July 2, 2019
This book is one of the best memoirs I have read. Rosen tackles an important topic - it is a sad fact that many have ascribed to the stigma against breastfeeding - and because of that I think everyone should read this. This is a book that goes into the issues that all women face as mothers. It left me annoyed at the NHS and certain folk the writer has met due to their treatment of her. This book never strays too far into becoming a manifesto as to what the writer believes a person ought to do. Rather, she shares her experiences in order that her readers can make informed decisions in future.
An incredibly well-written, poignant, informative read.
An incredibly well-written, poignant, informative read.
December 5, 2018
A fantastic book, well worth a read for mums and dads alike. 5 Stars!
October 28, 2018
I really enjoyed this book by Emma Rosen, it is part memoir, part facts and figures, which is a format that I thought really "worked".
While it is primarily about breastfeeding, it is so much more than that..... it's about the highs and lows of motherhood, women supporting women and the society we live in.
I wasn't a breastfeeding mother, but I found myself and my own experiences in Emma's account of early motherhood.... it doesn't glamorise pregnancy, breastfeeding and motherhood, but rather is a down-to-earth account where Emma opens up about not loving every aspect of motherhood.... it's honest..... it's what lots of new mums feel but don't feel that they can admit to, but also she recounts all the marvelous aspects of mum-life which makes it all worthwhile.
This book works on so many levels, I would recommend it to new and experienced mothers alike, as well as pregnant women, those considering breastfeeding, fathers to be and generally anybody with a breastfeeding mum in their lives.
While it is primarily about breastfeeding, it is so much more than that..... it's about the highs and lows of motherhood, women supporting women and the society we live in.
I wasn't a breastfeeding mother, but I found myself and my own experiences in Emma's account of early motherhood.... it doesn't glamorise pregnancy, breastfeeding and motherhood, but rather is a down-to-earth account where Emma opens up about not loving every aspect of motherhood.... it's honest..... it's what lots of new mums feel but don't feel that they can admit to, but also she recounts all the marvelous aspects of mum-life which makes it all worthwhile.
This book works on so many levels, I would recommend it to new and experienced mothers alike, as well as pregnant women, those considering breastfeeding, fathers to be and generally anybody with a breastfeeding mum in their lives.
June 15, 2022
I read this book while breastfeeding my 4th child.
I loved how Emma shared her own personal breastfeeding journey, along with facts. I learned so much, even with this being my 4th child, and I felt like I was listening to a friend giving me advice and encouragement.
I would definitely recommend this for anyone who wants to breastfed - even if it's not your first baby.
I loved how Emma shared her own personal breastfeeding journey, along with facts. I learned so much, even with this being my 4th child, and I felt like I was listening to a friend giving me advice and encouragement.
I would definitely recommend this for anyone who wants to breastfed - even if it's not your first baby.
February 29, 2020
I love it! 😉
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews