In the early years, the baby has an intense need to be with his mother which is as basic as his need for food. If you are unable to breastfeed or don’t feel it is right for you, you can still talk to us. Our volunteers can provide a listening ear for parents to talk about their feelings, and concerns, enabling them to discuss the situation with someone who will be completely non-judgmental. We don’t offer advice as every mother/baby relationship is unique and what is right for one will not be right for another, but we offer information to empower mothers to make a decision that is right for them.

At LLLGB, we support you to provide human milk for your baby, however that looks for you and your family. We are committed to serving everyone – mothers, parents, families – regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, physical or mental ability, socio-economic status, political views, gender identity, sexual orientation, family structure, cultural values and beliefs. All books available in our Group Libraries or sold in LLLGB Shop have been reviewed and approved by LLLGB to ensure they contain accurate information and are a good fit with our philosophy of mothering through breastfeeding. I liked the book and I found it helpful. I did read it cover to cover and my LO has not even arrived yet, I have also already been attending my local LLL meetings and trying to get comfortable with the wild world of breast feeding, so this probably colors my review somewhat. Every year we produce an extensive Annual Report which describes our main activities, projects and achievements. We submit full accounts to Companies House and The Charity Commission.

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Lastly, while I am an advocate for breastfeeding, am committed to breastfeeding my baby when he arrives, and have NO issues with women breastfeeding in public, these authors write with such an entitled attitude, you'd think the entire world should stop for a breastfeeding mother (and shame on the world if it doesn't!). Nursing may be a normal part of life that should be acceptable, but I would argue it doesn't automatically give breastfeeding mothers an out to be disrespectful to others... Some social awareness is still appropriate at times, I think. I thought maybe things would look up when we actually switched to the topic they're supposedly experts in. Instead, I found the authors advocating for a number of controversial things NOT supported by the medical community at large, including co-sleeping. Oh, and also leaving your new infant ON THE SIDE OF YOUR BED during intercourse... Nope, nothing risky about that! The downfalls to this book, however, were annoying enough that they kind of shadowed my overall reading experience. One of my problems is that they place themselves (La Leche League) above the medical community as breastfeeding authorities. There is an actual chart in this book that says doctors\OBs probably don't have breastfeeding know-how, and that the only reliable resource if you are struggling is through the La Leche League. Granted, members/leaders are mothers who have presumably breastfed at least one child; that, however, does not mean they are medical authorities themselves, or that they know better than professionals. That kind of rubbed me the wrong way, especially since every situation is personal and unique. This critical attitude that the authors hold towards anything they disagree with or that they deem against their strictly natural, holistic approach was honestly offensive. Breastfeeding may be natural and how our bodies were designed, but circumstances exist where it is. Not. Possible. Example: My sister adopted a 7 month old. She didn't HAVE the option to breastfeed her son. Does that make her any less of a mother, or her son any less attached to her? OF COURSE NOT. But you would not feel that way after reading this book. On the contrary, the authors make any woman who could not exclusively breastfeed for at least two years feel completely ostracized and insufficient. And I'm sorry, but that is 100% NOT how it should be. It is NEVER okay to mom-shame like that. Every woman and every baby is different, has different needs, different issues, and different circumstances. Those who deviate - willingly or from necessity - from the authors' viewpoints are not any less than those who follow them strictly.

Breastfeeding is enhanced by the loving support of the baby’s father, a co-parent, a partner, and/or close family members who value the breastfeeding relationship. Sept 27: I'm done! Wow. Definitely more thorough than the seventh edition. Lots of great new stuff. Alert and active participation by the mother in childbirth is a help in getting breastfeeding off to a good start. Breastfed babies are healthier babies; thus, those who are employed outside the home are likely to miss fewer days of work. 10 IMPORTANCE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

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The new edition will be published by Ballantine/PRH, the current publisher. After having discussions with them and the writers’ team, we decided to aim for October 2024 as the publication date for the new book. The writers are already working enthusiastically and the Board has closed the Task Force. It has been a truly amazing journey! All Task Force members are feeling immensely proud of their work over the past year. We can’t wait to hold the 9th edition of The Art of Breastfeeding in our hands! TASK FORCE MEMBERS Real-parent wisdom on breastfeeding comfortably – from avoiding soreness to simply enjoying the connection with your baby. LLLI maintains a close working relationship with the World Health Organisation. Because of the influence of LLL the WHO recognises the importance of exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of the baby’s life, which the UK NHS has also adopted as best practice. LLLI are partners with WABA.

Nursing special-needs, premies, multiples, and adopted babies – and how to thrive no matter what curveball life throws.nursing special-needs infants, premies, multiples, and how to thrive no matter what curveball life throws Chapter 14 On when you can't be with your baby, and chapter 15 on expressing milk are two that I'll need to re-read a few times to get it all in since I don't have personal experience with either of those. But I learned some great stuff! I really love how relaxed the authors write- you can feel that they really want to help women succeed and are so encouraging. If, for any reason, you have to use formula, this book will make you feel horrible. It will convince you you're giving your baby poison. I reread this book after my daughter was born and it only made me feel despair for the situation we were in. LLLGB representative Leaders sit on non-partisan, cross party government working groups on child health e.g. All Party Parliamentary Group on Infant Feeding and Inequalities;