Five evidence-based books, recommended by Shel Banks (IBCLC and Infant Feeding Specialist) and Sarah Oakley (IBCLC and Tongue-tie Specialist): The Positive Breastfeeding Book and Breastfeeding Uncovered by Professor Amy Brown, You've Got It In You by Emma Pickett, Supporting Sucking Skills in Breastfeeding Infants by Catherine Watson Genna, and Breastfeeding and Medication by Dr Wendy Jones.
Two are written for parents, one reframes the whole conversation, and two are clinical references every practitioner should have on the shelf.
The Positive Breastfeeding Book
Professor Amy Brown — for parents
Cuts through the anecdotes, giving clear, no-judgement, non-preachy, evidence-based information to help you make the right decisions for you and your baby. It helps you understand how breastfeeding works, and supports you in developing strategies to make sure that while you're looking after the baby, you're getting taken care of too.
It covers planning for your baby's arrival, coping with those early months, and knowing what to do and where to seek help if challenges come up — through to feeding in public, going back to work, and even rediscovering a glass of wine.
You've Got It In You: A Positive Guide to Breast Feeding
Emma Pickett — for parents
Written for anyone worried that breastfeeding might "not work" — a common feeling in a society where breastfeeding is often undermined by incorrect information, patchy support from a stretched health service, and powerful messages from formula companies.
Pickett's argument is that this worry isn't entirely logical: we are mammals, and we get our name from the milk-producing bits. The book is about being as well-prepared as possible, learning the biology before it sounds too scary, and knowing when to get help when instinct isn't answering all your questions. It's honest that it may not work out for every single person — but suggests not starting the journey by imagining you'll be one of them.
Breastfeeding Uncovered: Who Really Decides How We Feed Our Babies?
Professor Amy Brown — for anyone who supports families
Across the world mothers are urged to breastfeed, but in Western society many find it a difficult task. Those who stop can feel demoralised and unsure why such a desired, encouraged and biologically normal behaviour can appear so challenging in reality.
Brown examines why this keeps happening, revealing how complex social and cultural messages work against new mothers, damaging the normal physiology of breastfeeding and making it seem unmanageable. She removes the focus from the mother and instead urges society to support, encourage and protect mothers to feed their babies.
A must-read for anyone who has ever thought a breastfeeding mother should cover up, or feed her baby elsewhere.
Supporting Sucking Skills in Breastfeeding Infants
Catherine Watson Genna — clinical reference
An essential resource for healthcare professionals working with new mothers and infants. Using a multidisciplinary approach, it incorporates research on infant sucking and clinical strategies to assist infants with breastfeeding.
The emphasis is on skills: normal sucking function, plus difficulties rooted in anatomical, cardiorespiratory, neurological or prematurity issues. Numerous photos throughout make the techniques and recommended strategies easier to understand and replicate. Useful alongside tongue-tie assessment.
Breastfeeding and Medication
Dr Wendy Jones — clinical reference
An essential book for anyone supporting families with breastfeeding. Parents often worry they'll need to stop taking their medication, or are misled by well-meaning healthcare providers — or by the packaging itself — into believing they should stop breastfeeding when using certain drugs.
Dr Jones's work has been instrumental in guiding families and healthcare providers on what is safe while breastfeeding, and how to balance the associated risks for and against taking certain medications. For many families, stopping breastfeeding prematurely is devastating. For others it's necessary in order to access life-saving treatment. Having the right information to support these decisions is crucial.
If you're preparing to breastfeed, pregnancy is a good time to read — see how to prepare for breastfeeding for what else to arrange before the birth.
Go further than reading
Babyem's accredited training is taught by IBCLCs, clinicians and published authors — including several whose work appears on this list.