What to Expect When You're Breastfeeding...And What If You Can't?

I successfully exclusively breastfed my son for seven months but i would be the first to admit that the first 10 weeks were quite frankly hellish. I had a good milk supply and my son latched on easily but as a first time mother I had no idea why my son was behaving in certain (difficult) ways whilst i was breastfeeding and after i breastfed him. This book restored my sanity and confidence and helped me solve the various problems that i was having feeding, winding and settling my son.The book identifies pretty much every breastfeeding related problem, explains why the problem is occuring and suggests multiple ways of solving the problem. The book is very practical and really is about breastfeeding, winding and settling a baby so don't expect it to give you other advice on routine (like Gina Ford or Baby Whisperer).I was at my wits end and found other books and counciling services unhelpful/too hippy/unspecific enough compared to this book. It was only through reading this book (and constantly referring back to it during the seven months that i breastfed) that i had the confidence to continue and even grow to really enjoy the breastfeeding experience.

Ok some reviewers seem to have missed that the book describes itself "IF YOU FIND BREAST-FEEDING DIFFICULT and are on the verge of giving up..."In short I had a nightmare with my first son, I was unable to breastfeed and had mastitis and every other breastfeeding issue going and ended up expressing for 2.5 months until my milk ran out. The 'fashion' 2 years ago (2011) among midwives was to deny the baby ANY bottles or liquid until breastfeeding was established - I stupidly listened to this advice until a trip to A&E with a dangerously dehydrated jaundiced baby at 5 days old.This time someone recommended Clare so I bought the DVD. From first skin to skin contact I was able to latch and feed my second baby, it felt amazing, he fed well until the third day at home I was in agony, nipple blisters, cracks, stabbing shooting burning pain etc. So I contacted Clare and saw her personally (she is lovely, but no nosense and direct and very clear!). What was I doing wrong that I didn't get from the DVD...? I had the latch pretty well BUT I thought I had the baby close to me - I was actually leaning over him so much to check if he was on correctly I had both the pillow and him about 4 inches away - Clare moved both closer and had me resting on the pillow up against my ribs and the baby's lower shoulder touching the underside of my breast to roll him on to me - the pain was less instantly - if you watch the DVD it's all quite clear on there it's just very hard to see your own position until someone points out what you are doing wrong.In short I would not be able to feed my baby without this woman's help - the DVD was an excellent starting point. If you're lucky enough not to (like me) have what one Dr described as breasts that are perfectly designed with mastitis in mind, then you might not 'get' how much of a difference this lady can make, breastfeeding day 11 of my newborn and it's getting more comfortable and enjoyable all the time.There are some very negative and some downright nasty things written about Clare, she's described as 'marmite' you either love her or hate her and some pretty vicious reviews, however, I've seen the DVD and it helped get me 80% of the way, and I've been to her personally - I would not be breastfeeding without her help and so I cannot recommended the book, the DVD and her approach highly enough.Beware the label applied to her as 'old fashioned' since 'fashion' and breastfeeding are dangerous bedfellows, the 'fashionable advice' has changed a lot in the 2 years between my babies - I did the hospital classes and note that now they are more realistic and closer to Clare's teaching, if you're having problems, bad advice and current fashion in breastfeeding might just land you in A&E - this lady wont. I now have the book and it's a great reference guide to go back to as I progress each day with feeding. No one would talk to me about what to do 2 years ago, no one would discuss milk/ formula, shields, or expressing (including consultants, midwifes, breast support volunteers, health workers I mean everyone - some even said they were "not allowed") - It's a relief to see that there doesn't need to be guilt and stigma out there if you can't feed - I wish I had found this lady 2 years ago but at least I have her this time around and IT WORKS!!!!!!******3 MONTHS ON UPDATE******* My very happy baby is now 3 months, I'm barely using shields and he is more than double his birth weight, he feeds really well from both sides every feed AND he sleeps through the night!! - don't get bogged down with the details if you're having problems, just position - shape and 'shove' exactly like she says...*****Almost 2 year update!***** WOW this review is still on here... ok so - perhaps a bit crazy but I'm having baby 3. Baby 2, I breast fed using Claire'e technique for 8.5 months - happily and comfortably - and only had to stop for my return to work. This time I plan to do the same and hopefully won't need Claire unless I have forgotten more than I thought! My second son is now a very fit healthy fast growing boy who eats and sleeps well and will be 2 at the end of summer 2015. I fed him on SMALL size Medela shields for around the first 3 months (ignore Medela sizing - small baby - small mouth - small shields) - he was a small newborn 6lb baby and I am very fair skinned with fair hair so I needed shields for shape at first (fair ladies have less 'shape' - no one tells you it matters at first either!! - but it's not impossible to feed - just may need more help at first), as he grew bigger and stronger we didn't need them any more, or all the pillows! and he got so so much quicker (it used to take around an hour and a half including a 10 min nap / rest for both sides each feed, down to 20 mins both sides once he was bigger) - I breast fed almost exclusively other than during growth spurts - I did use bottles in addition sometimes but expressed also to increase my supply to match his needs (Nuk with rubber teat I assumed was closer to breastfeeding but he actually preferred Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature bottles) - I have honestly not met anyone who had a baby who got the much fabled "nipple confusion" but have known plenty of babies - including my second son - who did refuse the bottle at first when weaning. Good luck with your babies if you are reading this, and if you WANT to do it, and it matters to YOU (and it is up to you) try Clair's method, it worked 100% for me.

I found this book excellent when I was having trouble breastfeeding. It is a well-written, detailed but not confusing account of how to breastfeed and what to do if you're having problems. The section on what to do when you can't breastfeed really helped me with the guilt I was feeling when I couldn't breastfeed due to low supply and helped me let go when I stopped. I would recommend it for yourself or a friend who is struggling, as the guilt that comes when you are not able to breastfeed can be really difficult to bear. I also recommend the book "Lactivism" which is written by a mother who breastfed but later learnt that the superiority of breastfeeding isn't as drastic as one might think.

Good book which gives you a realistic stance on what to expect. Some of the time it is a bit of long read. But there are references to different experiences and perspectives which is useful.

Can't recommend this book enough, a must read for anyone wanting down to earth practical 'modern day' advice as opposed to some of the outdated advice which is no help for anyone struggling or trying to get to grips with breast feeding. This book gave me the confidence to do it my way despite trying desperately to get help and support from local breast feeding groups (that were well over subscribed), health visitors (who had no idea what breast feeding was like), midwives who would only help for a short while after birth and then refffered me to the hellish over subscribed feeding groups. It was also invaluable when I switched my child to formula when I went back to work. Breast feeding is hailed as the best - it's not. It's entirely up to the mum whether she wants to do it and her decision should be respected. It's not just about what's best for the baby, it's about what's best for mum and baby and breast feeding is by no means a walk in the park or enjoyable for everyone. I wish the Government would be realistic instead of it's ill informed guidance to breast feed. And I wish midwives would quit ramming the guidance down mums' throats and speak up about the fact that woman have a choice.

Super helpful book, should be mandatory reading - would recommend to all pregnant ladies!

Für mich DAS Buch bei Stillschwierigkeiten...ich hab mir bei unserer ersten Tochter sehr schwer getan und musste lange abpumpen, weil jede wohlwollende und sicher sehr kompetente Hebamme etwas leicht anderes sagte und ausprobierte...kurzum: ich habe dann eine Weile abgepumpt und mir tatsächlich nur mit diesem Buch zuhause in Ruhe selbst das Ganze beigebracht...das Buch hat in einem Nachmittag geschafft, was bei mir 3 verschiedene Hebammen plus die Krankenhausschwestern in 2 Wochen nicht zustande brachten, weil es sehr einfühlsam und klar und ohne Druck Hilfestellung gibt, auch mit sehr guten Illustrationen.....ich kann es bei Stillschwierigkeiten nur wärmstens empfehlen