• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

Nurturing Birth

Doula Courses | Education | Doula

  • Follow Nurturing Birth on Twitter
  • Follow Nurturing Birth on Facebook
  • Follow Nurturing Birth on Instagram

…here to nurture, inform and empower doulas and families

07305 044482 | [email protected]

  • Home
  • What is a Doula?
  • About
  • Doula Training Courses
    • Expansive Course
    • Intensive Course
    • Distance Doula Course
    • Upcoming Courses
    • Costs and Payments
  • Mentoring
    • Mentors
    • Becoming a mentor
  • Blog
  • Find a doula
  • Retreat Days
  • Contact

Doula books

Nurturing Birth Book Review: Supporting Breastfeeding Past the First Six Months and Beyond

May 30, 2022

Book review by Lesley-Sheena Robbins

Front cover of the book, "Supporting Breastfeeding past the first six months and beyond" by Emma Pickett

“Supporting Breastfeeding Past the First Six Months and Beyond”, by Emma Pickett, is available from Jessica Kingsley Publishers for £24.99

In her book, Emma Pickett skilfully evokes honest reflection and knowledge into the personal journey of natural term breastfeeding. She aptly relates evidence-based sources and draws upon stories from breastfeeding families and healthcare professionals  from across the UK to facilitate a 4-dimensional view on breastfeeding beyond the early months.     

There are many misconceptions around breastfeeding past 12 months; even more so beyond 2 years. I should confess that prior to reading Pickett’s book, I considered myself to be progressive in my approach and support of breastfeeding beyond 6 months, however, soon after I read the first chapter, some of the rather deeper ingrained misbeliefs of breastfeeding I held were exposed.

In the introduction she affirms that all families who breastfeed are not the same and further continues to lay the foundation by addressing some misconceptions, language and the impact that healthcare providers can have on the success of a family’s breastfeeding journey. Pickett makes an invaluable point: We are all at risk of projecting our personal biases onto the families we support, and that it takes great effort and skill to acknowledge this and to work alongside them. She encourages professionals to exercise continued ‘reflective practice’, which is described as confessing and evaluating your triggers, perhaps with a mentor or trusted accountability partner. Thankfully mentoring is already something which is instilled at Nurturing Birth, so I could immediately appreciate the value of reflection with a mentor on some of the more uncomfortable ideas around breastfeeding an older nursling.

There is compelling evidence surrounding the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding during the first 6 months of a baby’s life. The NHS guidance states that at 6 months of age, solids should be introduced alongside breastfeeding, which is often misunderstood to mean that breastfeeding should stop at 6 months. This misunderstanding is so compelling that there is often a lack of support and understanding when families choose natural term breastfeeding. Pickett argues that surely there is enough value in the continuation of breastfeeding simply because parents desire to do so. Though I wholeheartedly agree with Pickett, there are and will be instances where families need resources to support their decisions so I was delighted when she shared a very helpful list of references including an excerpt from Breastfeeding Medicine 2012, which states that ‘Claims that breastfeeding beyond infancy is harmful to mother or infant have absolutely no medical or scientific basis… Indeed, the more salient issue is the damage caused by modern practices of premature weaning’. As someone who enjoys introspection, I appreciated the opportunity to reflect on my personal breastfeeding journey as prompted by the reflective questions at the end of the second chapter.

Most people would agree that breastfeeding is not easy and that support is invaluable. I was struck by the number of references to social media support groups. I realised that our society accepts that online support groups form an integral part of our support network. It can be a tremendous source of support for families, in particular parents who nurse their older children in communities where there are few or no examples of this. Though support groups can be very beneficial, there is much that can be said about the impact of a partner or extended family members on the success of natural term breastfeeding. Some of the qualities that make up a supportive partner include being present, continued positive affirmations and practical support. When a partner is available to listen, offer reassurance and affirmation, it significantly contributes to the positive wellbeing of the breastfeeding partner and in advertently affects the wellbeing of the child too. Pickett states that ‘single parents who breastfeed are amongst the most empowered and thriving as they make decisions that suit them and their child’. Wider family members can have a significant impact on the success of breastfeeding for a family. Pickett quotes an extract from Negin et al. 2016, which states that “A grandmother’s positive breastfeeding opinion had the potential to influence a mother [to such an extent that she is] up to 12% more likely to initiate breastfeeding. Conversely a negative opinion has the capacity to decrease the likelihood of breastfeeding by up to 70%.” It is incredible to think of the potential of influence of the extended family.

In the absence of experience or knowledge of helpful resources, parents of older nurslings are often told that it is fine to end their breastfeeding journey because their child now receives the majority of their nutrition from food, and that they have done well to get as far as they have. Little effort is put into offering parents helpful resources so that they can reach their breastfeeding goals. However, in the remaining chapters, Pickett offers parents alternative solutions to common misconceptions and challenges that arise along the journey, such as how to continue to provide breastmilk successfully alongside solids, how to navigate interrupted sleep and breastfeeding, returning back to work and getting pregnant again.

I spent a lot of time reflecting on the chapters ‘Nursing Manners and Communicating Limits and Returning to Work’. I wanted to really soak up the revelation that breastfeeding is a mutual journey and should work for both parties. The needs of the nursing parent are equally as important as the nursling’s because they are both human beings. Breastfeeding, after all, is much more than just milk production. It is OK to set limits. It serves as a great reminder, too, that working parents who breastfeed have rights, and that they can, and should be empowered to advocate for their health and safety needs.

Pickett’s book is timely and should be read by everyone who supports or is interested in breastfeeding beyond the first months. I think it is a great signposting resource for parents at every stage of breastfeeding. I would go as far as recommending it particularly to parents during their antenatal period as it offers one the opportunity to think about goals as well as groups and resources to visit when you encounter difficult times along the way. For people who feel that they have finished their breastfeeding journey, this can also be a useful resource as we are constantly surrounded with friends and family who are starting or continuing on their own journey. The other group of people who would find great use from this book are healthcare professionals, particularly those who offer one-to-one support to families and children. It can offer a different perspective through the personal stories of families in the book but also as reference to evidence-based resources. Maybe it will even inspire new studies in this incredibly important topic.


Lesley-Sheena Robbins is a Nurturing Birth Doula. Click here for the link to Lesley-Sheena’s Nurturing Birth Directory entry.

Filed Under: Book Reviews Tagged With: Doula books, Supporting Breastfeeding Past the First Six Months and Beyond by Emma Pickett

Essential Summer Reads for Doulas

June 15, 2019

With the summer coming up, it’s great time to indulge in a little educational reading! We asked the Nurturing Birth doula community for their recommendations – here’s just a few of our must-reads

Offering nurturing and loving care to mums throughout pregnancy, birth and after will always be at the top of our list, but to do this we need to stay up-to-date and current in birthing practices, developments and views.

There’s always something new to learn or teach others.

Book One – Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth

The first on our list is the hugely popular Ina May Gaskin. An inspiring look at childbirth, this book tells you everything you need to have the ‘best birth experience for you’. The idea behind its sentiment is to give women the opportunity to take back the fear of childbirth by regaining confidence in their own bodies.

Within its pages, readers will learn more about what really happens during labour; how to create a safe, comfortable environment for birth in any setting; tips for maximising chances of an unmedicated labour and birth; and the risks of anaesthesia and caesareans – what your doctor doesn’t necessarily tell you. What most doulas seem to love most are the stories – more than half the book devoted to real-life tales of birthing with The Farm Midwives in Tennessee.

Book Two – Grantly Dick-Reid’s Childbirth Without Fear

Grantly Dick-Read’s philosophy is still described as being ‘as fresh and relevant as it was when he originally wrote this book’. An interesting and empathic insight and analysis into the root causes of women’s fears and anxiety about pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding.

Childbirth Without Fear is one of the most influential birthing books, and definitely a worthwhile read for all parents-to-be, as well as doulas childbirth educators, midwives and obstetricians.

Book Three – Heng Ou’s The First Forty Days

We’re seeing more and more focus on the ‘fourth trimester’ and this book focusses on just that. The First Forty Days revives the lost art of caring for the mother after birth. The modern mother is often pushed too prematurely into a life of routine where they are expected to easily bounce back after giving birth, and where they are often left alone to face the physical and emotional challenges of this new stage of their lives.

Our third book looks at the first 40 days after child birth when it is essential for rest and recovery for the new mother. Based on the first-hand experience of author Heng Ou’s own postpartum period of “confinement”, where she remained home to focus on healing and bonding with her baby.

This book looks at connection, nourishment, and guidance and includes 60 simple recipes to help heal, build strength and help lactation. This warm and encouraging guide offers advice on arranging a system of help during the post­partum period, navigating relationship challenges, and honouring the significance of pregnancy and birth. We love this nurturing outlook.

Book Four – Rebecca Schiller’s Why Human Rights in Childbirth Matter

The human rights in childbirth movement is gathering pace with doulas activists, midwives, mothers, doctors and lawyers all coming together to offer right-based solutions to the problems in maternity care. This book looks at our human rights and how they apply to pregnancy and birth. What happens when dignity is absent? And how are innovators and educators using human rights principles to revolutionise care for the next generation of women. Rebecca is a Nurturing Birth doula, and started the Birthrights Charity, so we love seeing how well she is doing in print!

Book Five – Milli Hill’s The Positive Birth Book

We all have different ideas relating to what sort of birth we want. The Positive Birth Book has been written to help women maximise their chances of getting it. It’s a refreshing, warm and witty guide to pregnancy, birth, the early weeks and guaranteed to make you giggle.

As well as wit, it’s also packed with vital information on everything from building the ultimate birth plan, to your choices and rights in the birth room; from optimal cord clamping, to seeding the microbiome; from the inside track on breastfeeding, to woman-centred caesarean.

The Positive Birth Book shows you how to have the best possible birth, regardless of where and what you choose. Read real accounts from new mums on their own experiences and the truth about what giving birth really feels like.

Book Six – Amy Brown’s The Positive Breastfeeding Book: Everything you need to feed your baby with confidence

This is a must read for both new and soon-to-be-mums, as well as for doulas and other birth workers. Its straight talking, fact and science-based, with reassuring advice from fellow mums and experienced breastfeeding professionals.

Everyone is an expert on everything when you have a baby, and topics such as breastfeeding leads to probably the most opinions, so it’s very easy to become overwhelmed and confused by conflicting advice. The Positive Breastfeeding Book cuts through the anecdotes, giving you clear, no-judgement, non-preachy, evidence-based information to help you signpost and support each mother and her  baby.

It’s honest and doesn’t promise it will be easy but it will empower and encourage its readers.

Book Seven – Naomi Kemeny’s Nurturing New Families

The last in our recommendations, is ‘Nurturing New Families’ written by Naomi Kemeny, who has a wealth of experience as a midwife, children’s nurse and postnatal doula.

Supporting a family in the days and weeks after a baby is born is an important part of the birth experience and can have a massive impact on mum. A new mum needs the chance to recover her strength and to respond to her baby’s needs, the care of a postnatal doula, friend or family member can be invaluable. In this guide Naomi draws on her wealth of experience to explain in detail how to ‘mother the mother’ – by listening to what she needs and supporting her as she adapts to her new role. This is an insightful book for those working or wanting to work as a postnatal doula.

Have you read any of the above? Let us know what you found most helpful, or share your favourite book if it hasn’t been featured. Contact us or share on Facebook or Twitter.

Please note: This blog contains some affiliate links. If you click these links and make a purchase, Nurturing Birth may earn a small commission.

Filed Under: About Doulaing, Pregnancy, Birth, Postnatal and Infant Feeding Tagged With: Doula books

Footer

Award winning Doulas

MAMA Awards 2017 - DOULA OF THE YEAR​ Winner - Sophie Brigstocke, Nurturing Birth

MAMA Awards 2017
DOULA OF THE YEAR​

Sophie Brigstocke,
Nurturing Birth

Nurturing Birth Twitter

Good perinatal mental health is crucial always, but during a pandemic it should have extra focus https://t.co/jgZGxjwkIT
- Wednesday Jul 8 - 1:12pm

A member of

   

Get in touch

  • Follow Nurturing Birth on Twitter
  • Follow Nurturing Birth on Facebook
  • Follow Nurturing Birth on Instagram

Telephone: 07305 044482
Email: [email protected]

Images by Jaha Brown

Copyright Nurturing Birth © 2022 | Privacy and Cookies Policy | Terms and Conditions |All Rights Reserved

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT