Jo Gilpin - On the Breast Handbook

Testimonials

This is a great little book, thorough yet practical. I particularly like the attitude that no problem is too difficult to remedy and also the emphasis on both parents being so involved with feeding their baby the most amazing food ever - breastmilk. Congratulations!

Rosemary Stanton OAM, PhD. B.Sc C. Nut/Diet, Grad. Dip. Admin. APD

Always fresh, the cat cant get to it and it comes in two perfect containers

With this description of breastmilk, Jo Gilpin sets the tone for a cheerful, accessible book. Written principally for the new mother, On the Breast Handbook could also serve as a refresher for a health practitioner who works with new mothers or as an excellent resource for a community group library.

For those hunting for a good book, On the Breast Handbook is an excellent choice.

Gilpin gathered material for this book over many years as a midwife, child and maternal health nurse, and lactation consultant in South Australia. Her expertise shows. For example, she devotes almost half of the book to the first few days and first few weeks - the time that new mothers need the most help and support as they work through a process of trial, error and practice. Gilpin also includes a chapter on obstacles, providing useful information without over-emphasising the prospect of pain and difficulties.

Throughout, the tone in calm, confident and friendly, matched by a spacious and crisp layout. There are ten pages of illustrations and the orange shading and bolding, while unusual, is attractive.

Although breastfeeding is a physical skill to be learned with support, knowledge also breeds confidence and many mothers turn to books for information and advice. This one would answer most questions about breastfeeding. It is suitable to read during late pregnancy and then use as a resource in the weeks after birth. For those hunting for a good book, On the Breast Handboo k is an excellent choice, a resource that will support many mothers on the path to successful breastfeeding.

Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA)

Are you expecting your first baby? Are you looking for a guide to breastfeeding to give a pregnant friend, daughter, niece or granddaughter? If you answer yes to either of these questions, consider this easy-to-read book by Jo Gilpin.

It is never patronising of the new mother and has an air of being with the mother as she seeks information and makes her breastfeeding journey. I love the authors focus on the babys senses, especially at the first feed, something that is beautifully brought together in the early pages. In this context, early skin-to-skin contact - and keeping the baby near Mum -makes sense to people who may never have thought of this before.

The emphasis all through (not only in the chapter on common obstacles) is on preventing problems from arising, which is how it should be. However, if a challenging situation has arisen, there is information and encouragement on how to resolve it.

The book makes good use of bold print so that important points are easy to find. The good-quality colour photographs are a delight. They are used to illustrate particular stages or techniques and are placed where they are needed, instead of being bunched together.

While some readers may be surprised at the authors questioning of the routine practice of burping, her discussion of this as a Western cultural practice is insightful. Parents will find the chapter on introducing new foods practical, while being based on sound knowledge of babies and the scientific evidence behind this information.

This reviewer suggests this book be read by the new mothers support persons such as her partner, her mother or mother-in-law.

Virginia Thorley, OAM, PhD, GD Counselling, IBCLC, FILCA
International Board Certified Lactation Consultant
Fellow of the International Lactation Consultant Association
Historian Brisbane, Queensland

The information in this book is just right for me it has brought all that I have tried to learn about breastfeeding together, so it makes sense. Its full of good, sensible advice and ideas, and the bonus for me is that it got Joel (partner) interested and understanding breastfeeding more. So he has been an enormous help, which I wasnt actually expecting.

Rebecca, mother of Trilby, July 2013

I love this book because of the way Jo explains things. Its easy to read and down to earth. It made me feel confident about breastfeeding. Unlike many of my friends I have had no problems what-so-ever, and I love this close special bond with Aimee.

Kylie, mother of Aimee (9 months), June 2013

My first 2 babies I could not breastfeed and I felt miserable about it. Third baby, Cammie success! Thanks to Jos input and her book I am still fully breastfeeding and enjoying it! I give this book to any of my friends having babies.

Shylie, mother of Kyle, Isobel and Cammie, January 2013

This book brings it all together! I am now eight months into my first pregnancy and feel fortunate to have access to this amazing, easy to read and understand book. I am looking forward to breastfeeding with confidence and will have it on hand as a resource once our baby arrives.

Airlie Hogan, September 2013

Jo Gilpin

RN RM CHN IBCLC

Grad Dip Soc Sc (Health Counselling)

www.breastfeedingsuccess.com.au
www.facebook.com/BreastfeedingHandbook

First published in Australia in 2011

This book is copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purposes of private study, research criticism or review, as permitted under the Copyright Act, no part may be reproduced by any process without written permission.

Josephine Winter Gilpin 2011

National Library of Australia
Cataloguing-in-Publication entry is available from
the National Library of Australia Catalogue

ISBN: 978-1-925-11278-8

Cover Photo courtesy of
Victoria Webster and the Australian Breastfeeding Association

Acknowledgements

The impetus and desire to write this handbook about breastfeeding has developed over many years. I have gathered material quietly, almost unknowingly, alongside a career as a mother, a Child and Maternal Health nurse and a Lactation Consultant. My perspective therefore comes from three specific areas of experience all of which I see as uniquely valuable.

Firstly as a mother to Tom, Jonathan and Airlie, I learnt first hand the joys and challenges of breastfeeding and I thank them very much for all that they taught me. More recently I have continued to learn as a grandmother and I thank Verity for allowing me to be closely involved with the breastfeeding of Charlie.

Secondly, motivation to write this book grew strongly from twenty years working as a Midwife in the community. In this capacity I had the privilege of working intimately with parents in a range of situations that in one way or another impacted on the baby feeding experience. Thank you to all those parents that I have been involved with over the years. You have taught me so much and, indeed, have been my greatest teachers.

Lastly, as a Lactation Consultant in private practice I have experienced the nitty-gritty aspects of feeding problems, appreciated the huge emotional toll these problems impose on families, and have often shared the joy of obstacles overcome.

Breastfeeding is a unique and personal experience different for every mother and every baby - sometimes easy and sometimes not so easy. I have focussed this handbook on the most common queries, comments and concerns that arise time and time again. For the many variances and individual concerns that might arise, I do encourage families to seek further information and advice.