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ns1011
I'm wide awake
Member since 4/09 2697 total posts
Name:
Nic
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The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding
Anybody else reading this and finding it to be a bit "uncomfortable"? I don't want to offend anyone but I feel like im being criticized in this book bc I plan on having a hospital birth and an epidural if necessary.
Im only into the first few chapters but it seems like every other paragraph makes reference to "medicated" and "hospital" babies vs babies born at home with no medical interference and it always seems like they are putting down the mothers who didn't go "natural". I feel like now I am stressing that if God forbid something goes wrong during my delivery and I need a c-section, or forceps or if my baby can't be placed on my chest right away that im in trouble. I know its ridiculous but this book almost reads like some sort of cult. I was telling DH about it last night and he told me to find a new book but this one seems to be so highly recommended. I guess im just wondering if anyone else felt a little uncomfortable reading it or is it just me?
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Posted 4/19/11 8:03 AM  |
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maybebaby
LIF Adult
Member since 11/05 6870 total posts
Name:
Maureen
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Re: The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding
Posted by ns1011
Anybody else reading this and finding it to be a bit "uncomfortable"? I don't want to offend anyone but I feel like im being criticized in this book bc I plan on having a hospital birth and an epidural if necessary.
Im only into the first few chapters but it seems like every other paragraph makes reference to "medicated" and "hospital" babies vs babies born at home with no medical interference and it always seems like they are putting down the mothers who didn't go "natural". I feel like now I am stressing that if God forbid something goes wrong during my delivery and I need a c-section, or forceps or if my baby can't be placed on my chest right away that im in trouble. I know its ridiculous but this book almost reads like some sort of cult. I was telling DH about it last night and he told me to find a new book but this one seems to be so highly recommended. I guess im just wondering if anyone else felt a little uncomfortable reading it or is it just me?
If it's highly recommended because of the help with breastfeeding, i would skip straight to that part and forget the rest, lol.
Listen..there are always going to be books/people/organizations who have firm beliefs about things, whatever they may be. You'll go CRAZY taking every bit of information out there and trying to apply it "just so" to your life.
Every single mom i am close friends with have had medicated births except one..and the one that had a quick, drug-free birth only did so because she had no choice and went very very fast. And you know what? Everyone had healthy babies who were alert, thriving and are doing just fine.
Make your decisions based on your own comfort level and what YOU want, not what anyone else tells you.
I didn't want to breastfeed..I forced myself to try it with my first even though my heart was telling me i didn't want to. And i spent 2 days in the hospital crying on and off because for ME it was painful, i wasn't comfortable etc...but so much is shoved down our throats regarding "best for baby". In the end i opted to FF and it was great...and with my second son, i was more relaxed, didn't care what i did...i gave it another try and for some reason it just was easier and i did it for a few weeks.
Remember that a happy mom is a happy baby. I would say go into things with an open mind, but don't beat yourself up about a thing..and skip the chapters that sound too "cultish". That can't be healthy!!
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| Posted 4/19/11 8:21 AM |
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christy811
LIF Adolescent
Member since 9/08 846 total posts
Name:
C
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Re: The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding
Posted by maybebaby
Posted by ns1011
Anybody else reading this and finding it to be a bit "uncomfortable"? I don't want to offend anyone but I feel like im being criticized in this book bc I plan on having a hospital birth and an epidural if necessary.
Im only into the first few chapters but it seems like every other paragraph makes reference to "medicated" and "hospital" babies vs babies born at home with no medical interference and it always seems like they are putting down the mothers who didn't go "natural". I feel like now I am stressing that if God forbid something goes wrong during my delivery and I need a c-section, or forceps or if my baby can't be placed on my chest right away that im in trouble. I know its ridiculous but this book almost reads like some sort of cult. I was telling DH about it last night and he told me to find a new book but this one seems to be so highly recommended. I guess im just wondering if anyone else felt a little uncomfortable reading it or is it just me?
If it's highly recommended because of the help with breastfeeding, i would skip straight to that part and forget the rest, lol.
Listen..there are always going to be books/people/organizations who have firm beliefs about things, whatever they may be. You'll go CRAZY taking every bit of information out there and trying to apply it "just so" to your life.
Every single mom i am close friends with have had medicated births except one..and the one that had a quick, drug-free birth only did so because she had no choice and went very very fast. And you know what? Everyone had healthy babies who were alert, thriving and are doing just fine.
Make your decisions based on your own comfort level and what YOU want, not what anyone else tells you.
I didn't want to breastfeed..I forced myself to try it with my first even though my heart was telling me i didn't want to. And i spent 2 days in the hospital crying on and off because for ME it was painful, i wasn't comfortable etc...but so much is shoved down our throats regarding "best for baby". In the end i opted to FF and it was great...and with my second son, i was more relaxed, didn't care what i did...i gave it another try and for some reason it just was easier and i did it for a few weeks.
Remember that a happy mom is a happy baby. I would say go into things with an open mind, but don't beat yourself up about a thing..and skip the chapters that sound too "cultish". That can't be healthy!!
Very well said!!
Honestly you are going to read a ton of crap, and hear even more crap about "what is best for your baby!" Seriously only you know what is best for your baby and whats best for you. Don't listen to everything you hear or read. Take in the information, mb consider, mb not and do what is right for you.
When I was reading that book and many others I only focused on the information about techniques and tips, and ignored all the other BS!
Unfortunately that is the ugly side of parenting.....everyone thinks their way is best and that they have the right to push their views, beliefs, and what have you onto others!!!
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| Posted 4/19/11 8:51 AM |
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ar1stbaby
LIF Adolescent
Member since 8/10 844 total posts
Name:
Alisha
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Re: The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding
I am reading it, but I am picking out what is healpful. I think the leleche group is a cult and I dont believe in what they believe. The most important thing to take from the book is what you feel is relevant to you. Otherwise the rest is from people who have way to much time of their hands, dont feel guilty because what you do for your child is always best.
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| Posted 4/19/11 10:12 AM |
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FirstMate
My lil cowboy
Member since 10/10 7790 total posts
Name:
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Re: The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding
I have not read the book so I'm only taking this from what you wrote. Let me share some insight that may make you feel a little bit better about a "hospital" baby. I have seen a handful of cases in my office where women have decided to have babies in their home with catastrophic results. That's not to say that happens in every situation of course or that it can't happen in a hospital but there are no physicians, no monitors, no drugs, etc. in your home. If something happens to you or your baby, (and not to freak you out but there are a multitude of ways things can go downhill really fast) they are nowhere near as prepared or as equipped as a hospital is. Nobody should ever make you feel bad about wanting to give birth in a well-equipped, well-staffed hospital.
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| Posted 4/19/11 11:35 AM |
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blustar214
So in love with my little girl
Member since 1/10 2471 total posts
Name:
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Re: The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding
I totally agree - it's so hard to figure out what is sort of propaganda and what is based on science.
Like the part where they say - when your friend tells you how great her epidural was, ask her how her first month home with the baby went!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Message edited 4/19/2011 11:41:02 AM.
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| Posted 4/19/11 11:40 AM |
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Sugarbean11
LIF Zygote
Member since 3/11 44 total posts
Name:
Kerrin--Baby Gracie is HERE! 08/11/11
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Re: The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding
I also have not read the book either, but I completely agree with pp in saying to take away from a book what is relevant to YOU.
I'd like to turn the tables for a moment and say that I am one of "those" women who is, in fact, planning for a homebirth. I've read a number of books on natural childbirth and homebirth, but I've also been reading some of the more popular books, such as "Your Pregnancy Week By Week" and "Mayo Clinic's Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy".
If I chose to read only the Mayo Clinic book (which, I will have you know, is quite medical-friendly), I'm sure I would feel frustrated/uncomfortable in that it does not, in any way, advocate homebirthing. Why am I reading it? Because knowledge is key. I am planning a homebirth, but it doesn't mean that a hospital transfer couldn't end up happening. In that case, I would like to know my options and be educated if I end up delivering in a hospital.
I think that the same is true with any book you read, including "The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding". No two women are going to have the same plan or expectations for their birth, just like no two births are going to be the same. When I read the Mayo Clinic book (just using it as an example now), I don't think, "wow, these overbearing OB's are out to get me!", but think instead, "ok, here's the information I need if this were to happen. Done." No one likes a preachy book, but sometimes these are the one's with great info. Luckily there's a load of info available online, so in the event that you just can't read another word, you can find the info elsewhere, and it's usually pretty objective.
In response to the "homebirths and their catastrophes" comment, I feel like this is quite a biased remark. I could just as easily say that hospitals are one of the primary reasons for infection in mother and baby OR that the avaerage c-section rate in Long Island hospitals is just shy of 50% and that the reasons for these are mostly due to unnecessary interventions of pitocin followed by a needed epidural. I could go on and on, BUT I wont. Because sometimes problems happen regardless of the setting or the caretakers. To blame catastrophes on one method of birthing over another because it's "different" or "medically-driven" or "primal" is not a good enough reason. And neither is the fact that you've seen a "handful of women" come into your office after homebirth disasters. I also know a handful of women who've come into my home, sat down over a cup of coffee, and told me about their hospital birth disasters. It's a moot point.
Anywho, I've hijacked this thread quite enough, so I'll stop now 
To the original poster, another book on breastfeeding that I've heard good things about is "The Breastfeeding Book" by Sears. You might want to give that one a try! Good Luck! 
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| Posted 4/19/11 12:40 PM |
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OffWithHerHead23
Keep passing the open windows
Member since 10/06 3627 total posts
Name:
Meaghan
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Re: The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding
Posted by Sugarbean11
If I chose to read only the Mayo Clinic book (which, I will have you know, is quite medical-friendly), I'm sure I would feel frustrated/uncomfortable in that it does not, in any way, advocate homebirthing. Why am I reading it? Because knowledge is key. I am planning a homebirth, but it doesn't mean that a hospital transfer couldn't end up happening. In that case, I would like to know my options and be educated if I end up delivering in a hospital.
Well said!!
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| Posted 4/19/11 12:43 PM |
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Dragonfly75
I love Hypnobabies
Member since 3/06 2333 total posts
Name:
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Re: The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding
never mind
Message edited 4/19/2011 1:00:05 PM.
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| Posted 4/19/11 12:54 PM |
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Dragonfly75
I love Hypnobabies
Member since 3/06 2333 total posts
Name:
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Re: The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding
Posted by Sugarbean11
In response to the "homebirths and their catastrophes" comment, I feel like this is quite a biased remark. I could just as easily say that hospitals are one of the primary reasons for infection in mother and baby OR that the avaerage c-section rate in Long Island hospitals is just shy of 50% and that the reasons for these are mostly due to unnecessary interventions of pitocin followed by a needed epidural. I could go on and on, BUT I wont. Because sometimes problems happen regardless of the setting or the caretakers. To blame catastrophes on one method of birthing over another because it's "different" or "medically-driven" or "primal" is not a good enough reason. And neither is the fact that you've seen a "handful of women" come into your office after homebirth disasters. I also know a handful of women who've come into my home, sat down over a cup of coffee, and told me about their hospital birth disasters. It's a moot point.
Very well said.
To the OP I haven't read this book, so I really can't comment on it. I do teach childbirth hypnosis and I do go over the risks and benefits of interventions in my classes, not to make anyone feel guilty, but to ensure that my moms are able to make the best decisions for themselves whenever they need to. Knowledge is really important, even if some of that knowledge makes you a little uncomfortable.
That being said, I think the best place for a woman to give birth is where she feels most comfortable. Neither home nor hospital birth is right for everybody all the time. What matters is what is right for you in your situation.
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| Posted 4/19/11 1:06 PM |
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MarisaK
HELLO Manolo !!
Member since 5/06 14562 total posts
Name:
Marisa
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Re: The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding
the title alone would have turned me off - 
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| Posted 4/19/11 1:23 PM |
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katiebug
I'll love you for always
Member since 2/08 4624 total posts
Name:
Katie
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Re: The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding
Posted by FirstMate
I have not read the book so I'm only taking this from what you wrote. Let me share some insight that may make you feel a little bit better about a "hospital" baby. I have seen a handful of cases in my office where women have decided to have babies in their home with catastrophic results. That's not to say that happens in every situation of course or that it can't happen in a hospital but there are no physicians, no monitors, no drugs, etc. in your home. If something happens to you or your baby, (and not to freak you out but there are a multitude of ways things can go downhill really fast) they are nowhere near as prepared or as equipped as a hospital is. Nobody should ever make you feel bad about wanting to give birth in a well-equipped, well-staffed hospital.
Just had to jump in there and say in home births there are drugs and monitors, and while there aren't MD's there are highly qualified medical professionals.
As for the Breast Feeding book, like everyone else said, you do what you are comfortable with in the birthing of your baby, and if you don't like this book there are plenty of others out there.
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| Posted 4/19/11 1:34 PM |
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ns1011
I'm wide awake
Member since 4/09 2697 total posts
Name:
Nic
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Re: The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding
I'm thinking I may have come off the wrong way here. I never meant in any way that I felt that home or drug free births were a bad choice. Nor did I mean to sound like I I didn't feel the book had any useful info. I more or less was just wondering if anyone else got the same feeling I did when reading it. I totally agree with everyone's posts, anything can happen regardless of where or how you choose to give birth. It just seemed to me that in this book they were making it out that inevitably you will struggle with BFing and instant bonding, if you didin't have a home/drug free birth. Maybe I'm reading too much into it. Didn't mean to put anyone's views/beliefs/plans down. Sorry if it came off that way
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| Posted 4/19/11 1:43 PM |
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GioiaMia
Let's Go Rangers!
Member since 1/07 14818 total posts
Name:
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Re: The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding
Please dont let that discourage you
When it comes to BFing, this book is simply the BEST - I read it AFTER giving birth (in a hospital, with an epidural, with surgery right after, a baby in NICU. . . .) and it was hard for me to read too BUT the actualy BFing part of the book is EXCELLENT!
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| Posted 4/19/11 1:51 PM |
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FirstMate
My lil cowboy
Member since 10/10 7790 total posts
Name:
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Re: The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding
Posted by Sugarbean11
In response to the "homebirths and their catastrophes" comment, I feel like this is quite a biased remark. I could just as easily say that hospitals are one of the primary reasons for infection in mother and baby OR that the avaerage c-section rate in Long Island hospitals is just shy of 50% and that the reasons for these are mostly due to unnecessary interventions of pitocin followed by a needed epidural. I could go on and on, BUT I wont. Because sometimes problems happen regardless of the setting or the caretakers. To blame catastrophes on one method of birthing over another because it's "different" or "medically-driven" or "primal" is not a good enough reason. And neither is the fact that you've seen a "handful of women" come into your office after homebirth disasters. I also know a handful of women who've come into my home, sat down over a cup of coffee, and told me about their hospital birth disasters. It's a moot point.
You are right. My comments are totally biased based upon what I have seen with work. I wasn't blaming catastrophes on home births and I'm definitely not saying they can't happen in hospitals. Of course they can. My point is that at a hospital, they are better prepared and equipped to handle what may transpire. That's all.
I will also add that if you are choosing to do a home birth, make sure that the person who is handling it has malpractice insurance with plenty of coverage. It's for your protection.
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| Posted 4/19/11 2:21 PM |
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Dragonfly75
I love Hypnobabies
Member since 3/06 2333 total posts
Name:
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Re: The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding
Posted by FirstMate
I will also add that if you are choosing to do a home birth, make sure that the person who is handling it has malpractice insurance with plenty of coverage. It's for your protection.
 umm... isn't this the case with any medical care giver....
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| Posted 4/19/11 2:44 PM |
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FirstMate
My lil cowboy
Member since 10/10 7790 total posts
Name:
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Re: The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding
Posted by Dragonfly75
Posted by FirstMate
I will also add that if you are choosing to do a home birth, make sure that the person who is handling it has malpractice insurance with plenty of coverage. It's for your protection.
umm... isn't this the case with any medical care giver....
Nope. The only time a medical provider must have insurance is when they are affiliated with a practice that requires insurance or if they want admitting privileges at a hospital. If the mid-wife (and I'm saying mid-wife because typically it's them doing the home births...a doula is a whole other matter) does not have admitting privileges, she/he may not be insured. They get around this because the only thing required by law of a mid-wife is that there is a collaborative agreement with an attending, supervising physician. More likely than not, the supervising physician will have attending privileges somewhere so they can admit if necessary.
That's why it is imperative to research those issues before choosing to go that route.
To the OP, sorry to hijack your post!
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| Posted 4/19/11 3:01 PM |
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