Practical Breastfeeding

A modern guide to breastfeeding your baby

This easy-to-follow illustrated book takes you through the joy and challenges of breastfeeding, from preparing while pregnant to starting to feed your baby.

With empathetic and caring language, the author – a breastfeeding counsellor – deals with such key issues as feeding frequency, latching, mastitis, and cracked nipples.

Uniquely, Practical Breastfeeding represents women and birthing people from different backgrounds, ethnicities, ages, abilities, and gender identities.

It puts a particular focus on the emotional well-being and mental health of mothers, topics often overlooked by other breastfeeding books. With endorsements from breastfeeding consultants, Practical Breastfeeding is the only book you need if you are about to start breastfeeding or if have encountered problems while breastfeeding.

Reviews

'This is an absolutely fabulous book.' – Cathy Monaghan, Senior Paediatric Dietitian

'This beautifully illustrated book provides a wealth of practical guidance backed by science and clinical experience. It is a great resource to read either from cover to cover or to dip into for troubleshooting.' – Dr Anne Doolan, Consultant Neonatologist and IBCLC

'My expectations were completely blown out of the water. The illustrations are so beautiful and so many brought tears to my eyes.' –Pamela-Jane Davis, Birth Doula and Pre/Postnatal Pilates Instructor

'This book is amazing! The illustrations are beautiful, the language is so inclusive, and it covers everything you might want to know about breastfeeding, from conception right through to birth, weaning and sleep.' – Ciara Butler, IBCLC, Midwife, Nurse

'This is an absolutely fabulous book. It covers everything and it is so wonderfully inclusive in every possible way. It has a beautiful uplifting feel about it and balances the benefits with the struggles so beautifully – I think any mum would feel empowered after reading it and know that it is OK to find it hard, but know that it will pass. The illustrations are great – I giggled at the social media breastfeeding yogi!' – Cathy Monaghan, Senior Paediatric Dietitian

'This beautifully illustrated book provides a wealth of practical guidance backed by science and clinical experience delivered in an accessible and inclusive way. It is a great resource to read either from cover to cover or to dip into for troubleshooting and includes information about pumping, medications, supplementation at the breast, mental health and navigating social media. I would recommend this book to all on their breastfeeding journey.' – Dr Anne Doolan, Consultant Neonatologist and IBCLC

'My expectations were completely blown out of the water by ‘Practical Breastfeeding’. There is no corner of breastfeeding left unexplored, in a simple understandable way. The illustrations are so beautiful and inclusive and so many brought tears to my eyes. The myth-busting and promotion of normal newborn behaviour is such a welcome sight in a world where things are pathologised and capitalised on so often. Looking back on my own journeys, three feeding experiences and a loss (I love how this is included) I can’t tell you how valuable this would have been to me, everything is covered. I will recommend this to all of my doula clients, friends and family and anyone I interact with who expresses a desire or curiosity about breastfeeding. Huge well done to Caoimhe, Lauren and Nicola on such a work of art.' – Pamela-Jane Davis, Birth Doula and Pre/Postnatal Pilates Instructor

'This book is amazing! The illustrations are beautiful, the language is so inclusive, and it covers everything you might want to know about breastfeeding, from conception right through to birth, weaning and sleep. The book is just so stunning. It explains everything so well. If you are looking for a book to buy as a gift or for yourself, that talks about everything to do with breastfeeding, then this is for you.' – Ciara Butler, IBCLC, Midwife, Nurse

'Caoimhe and Lauren have produced something very special with this book. It is a wonderful evidence-based, inclusive resource for both breastfeeding families and healthcare professionals alike. It will be an important addition to my infant feeding book collection.' Eva Cunningham, Nurse and IBCLC.

Caoimhe is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) working in private practice in Dublin, Ireland. Prior to qualifying as an IBCLC, she was a voluntary breastfeeding supporter with Cuidiu (the Irish equivalent of the National Childbirth Trust) for eight years. In her 15+ years of volunteering and working in private practice, Caoimhe has always been passionate about providing individualised support to parents and helping them to have an experience of breastfeeding or lactation that they are happy with.

Caoimhe is particularly interested in women's and parents' lived experiences of breastfeeding and transitioning to motherhood. In 2023, she graduated from University College Dublin with an MSc. in research. She studied women's experiences of breastfeeding with primary low milk supply and her findings were published in  Breastfeeding Medicine and International Breastfeeding Journal. Caoimhe is an accomplished speaker and has presented at many national and national breastfeeding conferences, including the International Lactation Consultant Association conference, GOLD Lactation, iLactation, The New Zealand Lactation Consultant Association conference, and the Lactation Consultants of Great Britain conference.

Lauren Rebbeck is an illustrator, author and mother, with years of experience creating artwork for lactation specialists, NHS maternity trusts, midwifery journals, independent midwives and maternity co-operatives. Lauren creates relatable imagery to bridge the gap between maternity service and parents: using her illustrations to showcase the inspiring skills and compassion of midwives and birth workers, whilst acknowledging the transformative highs, lows and challenges of new parents. An advocate for inclusion, equity and representation, Lauren strives to depict under-represented or marginalised communities within her illustrations. Lauren’s work depicts the ideals of safe birth and postnatal care for all.

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