Breastfeeding Doesn't Need to Suck: How to Nurture Your Baby and Your Mental Health

by Kathleen Kendall-Tackett

2023 Prose Award Finalist

Breastfeeding Doesn’t Need to Suck  shows mothers how to navigate their breastfeeding journey while also caring for their mental health. 

Breastfeeding Doesn’t Need to Suck  contains information that you will not find in other breastfeeding books, such as a thorough discussion of breastfeeding’s impact on sleep, safe (and unsafe) bedsharing, and how where babies sleep impacts their mothers’ mental health. This book describes what effective help looks like and gives specific suggestions for partners, grandmothers, and friends who want to help. Mothers will also learn how to navigate healthcare systems that can often undermine breastfeeding and mental health.

Postpartum is hard, no matter how you feed your baby. Yet formula companies tell mothers that all of their problems will be solved if only they would switch. It’s not true; these issues will still be there even if mothers stop breastfeeding.  These are the five “I”s of new idleness, isolation, incompetence, identity, and intensity. If mothers are unprepared for these feelings, they can undermine both her breastfeeding and her mental health.

Breastfeeding Doesn’t Need to Suck provides information on common breastfeeding problems, such as nipple pain and low milk supply, while also keeping mothers’ mental health in mind. Breastfeeding, when it’s going well, protects mothers’ mental health. Conversely, breastfeeding problems increase the risk of depression and anxiety. Dr. Kathleen Kendall-Tackett is both a psychologist and an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant, with more than 30 years’ experience in both lactation and mental health. Breastfeeding Doesn’t Need to Suck is an evidence-based guide full of practical advice with the goal of helping mothers and babies navigate postpartum and come through it happy, healthy, and securely attached.

Genres: Parenting

354 pages, Paperback

Published July 26, 2022

Reviews

[Katherine Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is written by the same author of a breastfeeding book I read last year and loved, but this one is SO much less textbook-y. However because of that I think some of my favorite knowledge is missing….but breastfeeding is also such a learned art that I think we inhibit moms by doing too much teaching instead of gentle guidance and encouraging them to find what position works for them, how often do THEY need to feed (go by the baby, not by the clock friends), how do THEY want to decide between EBF (exclusive breastfeeding) or mix with formula. I also loved how this book touched on how breastfeeding affects different postpartum mood disorders, how community is vital for success, and all the benefits.

truthfully I think a lot of moms aren’t prepared for how difficult breastfeeding can be, for some moms it does come quite easy but for others it does not. reading books like this that can help create a really solid “why” so when things get difficult, they can recall why this is important & how to troubleshoot.

[Anna Dulzo · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book emphasizes the importance of self advocacy. Breastfeeding looks different for everyone and it’s a learning experience. There is no one right way to breastfeed. This book encourages women to continue reaching out for support until they find something that works. Although this advice was helpful and inspiring, I was hoping to learn more about breastfeeding rather than self-advocacy.

[Rachel Meagher · Rating 5 out of 5]

So helpful, will definitely buy. Wish I read this the first time around.

[Sophia Hanson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great resource. The author presents good research in a clear, friendly voice. More down-to-earth and accessible than Womanly Art of Breastfeeding, which I think too highly glorified exclusively breastfeeding. The chapter on Breastfeeding, Sleep, and Mental Health was really interesting: “exclusively breastfeeding mothers get more sleep even with more night wakings and shorter stretches of sleep.” Could’ve fooled me, ha!

[Kristen Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was very helpful and had great testimonials as well as data and studies to back up information. Starts with all the really important stuff like how to gain confidence and then about how/when/why, etc. I reread a few chapters that I was struggling with or made me feel better shut my decisions (bedsharing cough!). I slowed down once she got to mental health and all that because it currently isn't something I'm worried about. I'd recommend the book!

[Lauren Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really appreciated Dr. Kendall-Tackett's approach to what I know is a tough line to walk - championing both breastfeeding and mental health.

As a researcher in this field, I have heard mental health practitioners dismiss research that breastfeeding can protect against postpartum mood and anxiety disorders after birth. Especially for women and birthers with psychiatric histories, some will say the pressure is too great and have removed lactation support from their wraparound services. Most psychiatrists don't ask about lactation at all.

This push to "protect mental health" while undermining breastfeeding support does not feel particularly feminist when women and families aren't being given the whole picture of breastfeeding's protective physiology and benefits for the birthing person. Why can't we protect mental health and give rich breastfeeding education and support?

This was informative and understanding of the many nuanced ways families experience breast and chestfeeding. This is a great resource for practitioners looking to better support their patient's breastfeeding and mental health journeys in the postpartum period.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend for all current or expecting mothers who are/plan to breastfeed. The book offers a lot of interesting anatomy knowledge as well as connections to mental health in a scientific way. Lots of references to research. Obviously very pro-breastfeeding, but without being super “anti-formula”. It explains how research does favor nature, however, a secure attachment should be the main goal - not just “successful breastfeeding”. I took a few breastfeeding classes before and after giving birth, and I still learned a lot from this book!

[Shannon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe 20% of this book is useful information on how to breastfeed. The rest is axe grinding, mainly by recapping studies of breastfeeding and conflating correlation with causation. The author thinks pumping isn’t as good as breastfeeding, and spends almost as much time giving advice about cutting your hours or quitting your job as it does on how to successfully pump at work.

[Bianca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. A very broad yet in depth book about many issues you can face breastfeeding. I read this hoping to better understand my first failed breastfeeding attempt and found it fascinating.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really wish I had read this book before I ever started my breastfeeding journey. I recommend it so highly, it covers so many topics and offers so many useful resources. It really helped me understand more about this process and feel comfortable and confident in how my journey has progressed.

[Sophie K. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informational and interesting. It was a pretty quick read for me and wasn't boring at all. Gave it 4 stars because I will have to read other breastfeeding books, this one didn't give as many instructions as I thought.

[Kelly Kolb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Evidence-based, practical guide that confronts many lactation myths and provides sound suggestions for tackling potential issues.

[Cait O’Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t recommend this enough, it helped me understand so much about breast feeding and that the struggles and anxiety is shared by so many other mothers.

[Brianna Nunez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kathleen has did her research! Enjoyed every moment of this book, read it in 3 days! Thank you for sharing all your knowledge. Blessings.

[Abbey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great resource for breastfeeding individuals and professionals who support them.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

WONDERFUL book to refer to during breastfeeding struggles as an adjunct to professional care.

Also a great book to read during pregnancy even if youve breast fed before. I guarantee there’s helpful info in there you haven’t heard yet. I gift this book to all my pregnant friends that I know want to breastfeed

[Meiran · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite informational — a solid introduction to breastfeeding basics.