The Breastfeeding Book: Everything You Need to Know About Nursing Your Child from Birth Through Weaning by Martha Sears and William Sears (2000, Paperback)

I like to recommend this book to friends who plan to breastfeed their children. This book is well organized and has a lot of good basic information. Martha Sears has breastfed many of her own children and has advised lots of nursing moms, but also comments on what she has learned from them.
The tone of the book is friendly and supportive. And, I felt it was written in a manner that is easy to read with simple instructions. I have read several other books on breastfeeding, taken several breastfeeding classes and still think that this book has the best description of how a baby should properly latch onto the breast. The steps of latching on are carefully and fully described, which could seem a little intimidating at first, but once you 'get it' and you look back on the descriptions, you can appreciate how thorough and detailed she is.
The book has a lot of pictures and photographs to show you what they are explaining. There are also a lot of tips for troubleshooting. I will just say the 'lower lip flip' has been the greatest advice I have ever read or heard in regards to breastfeeding. I even taught the nurses during my hospital stay the trick - they had never heard of it, but it really works. There are many more examples I could point out that helped me successfully breastfeed my daughter from this book.
One thing you do have to take with a grain of salt from this book is that the Sears are very supportive of people who choose to nurse children into toddlerhood and beyond. I am not that kind of parent. I personally don't want to breastfeed beyond 12 months, but some women do and I try not to judge. I didn't feel like the book was telling me that I had to breastfeed older children. I interpreted it as if you want to breastfeed older children, there are other people out there who feel the same.
The other point I could see that some may disagree with is co-sleeping. The Sears are fans of it and tell you why. But they also say that if you aren't comfortable with it, there are other options and you should do what is best for you. So, if you aren't a fan of co-sleeping, skip that part. : )
I think overall this is a great book to get you going. I still give it an excellent rating despite disagreeing with some of the parenting views they present. The description and tips are very good and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the book to anyone.

This is really like an idiot proof guide to breastfeeding. It had illistrations that show you every position. I also like that they say its not as hard as people and doctors like to say. They say to use you natural instincts as a mom. They also prepare you for what the doctors and nurses will say after you have your baby. Like " if you can't do it right now then just give a bottle, your baby has to eat!'' Or "you may not have enough milk so just give a bottle" Cause they are just trying to make their job easier. But it encourages a new mother to use her motherly instinct and lets you know everything first so you don't feel like that whatever they say goes... and they that know better then you! It really a great book and I encourage any new mother to get it!

Wonderful book by Martha Sears on breastfeeding. This would be a benefit to any new mom, although I suggest reading it just before baby is born and then maybe again (or bits and pieces) just after baby is born. I ejoyed reading it and found most of the advice to be right on target.

This book is full of information, tips, and resources to get support breast feeding. It is one sided, but I happen to agree with it. If you are set on breast feeding your baby, this book will help you stay on track.

Anything by the Sears family is worth buying and reading again and again!!! Breastfeeding, descipline, parenting, etc....great books!