Mama Knows Breast

Mama Knows Breast: A Beginner's Guide to Breastfeeding by Andi Silverman is a handy little book for anyone considering nursing their baby. Whether you're a first-timer or a veteran, there is information in here that will come in useful. The style is friendly and down-to-earth, with sensible advice, the kind you'd get from a friend or big sister (not the bossy big sister, either, the nice, let's-you-borrow-her-favourite-sweater sister).

There are loads of tips and information that, even now, after having nursed three babies, I wish someone had told me. The tip about getting a footstool seems so basic, and yet I didn't figure that one out until baby #2. The advice about what to keep at hand while nursing is also key - I never remembered to keep the phone next to me. Never. Water I had, the phone, eh, not so much.

There are tips for getting your spouse to help (and I won't insert any sarcastic remarks about my husband here), how to take some time for yourself and even some snappy answers to give to pesky questions and comments. Even the size is great - you can read it with one hand, as illustrated on the cover. The pages are thicker than normal, too, making it easier to handle one-handedly than a regular paperback.

All in all, this is a good, useful book. I'd definitely keep this in mind as a baby shower gift. I know I certainly could have used it.