Childbirth & Breastfeeding Resources

After 3 natural births, (read my latest birth story here), and exclusively breastfeeding 3 babies (first 2 to 18 months, with this last one going strong at 6 months), I wanted to share my favorite resources that have really helped me to have such positive childbirth & breastfeeding experiences! By resources, I mean books ;) You know how much I love them. But honestly, reading during my pregnancy’s was one of the best things I did for my babies & I. The mental preparation & self knowledge gained from reading these helped me enter those unknown times with such great insight, I doubt anyone would have told me otherwise. The whole ‘you enter motherhood without a manual thing’ is hard enough, let alone pregnancy & breastfeeding! Besides reading, I recommend joining your local Le Leche League meetings or breastfeeding support group, they are absolutely amazing. I think I called those LLL leaders daily for the first months, and they would give me amazing advice over the phone & in person. I definitely recommend checking out local doulas for natural childbirth classes, a lot of times the hospital ones are not as in depth as you need. Lastly, dedicate your pregnancy to Mother Mary & an intercessory saint, Saint Gerard or Saint Gianna are great ones. My mom gave me a Saint Gerard prayer cloth that my husband puts on my pregnant belly & prays nightly over. The more grace the better, prayers for all my pregnant & breastfeeding friends & Creighton clients & all moms out there, enjoy! And if you are looking for a nice gift for a pregnant or new mom, anything from this list would be great!

Childbirth Books:

Made for This

Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth

Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way

Husband Coached Childbirth: The Bradley Method

The Official Lamaze Guide: Giving Birth with Confidence

The Thinking Woman’s Guide to a Better Birth

The Complete Book of Pregnancy and Childbirth

The Doula Guide to Birth  

A Catholic Mother’s Companion to Pregnancy: Walking with Mary from Conception to Baptism


Breastfeeding Books:

The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding  

Nursing Your Baby

The Seven Standards of Ecological Breastfeeding: The Frequency Factor  

Breastfeeding & Catholic Motherhood

Breastfeeding Café

Breastfeeding Made Simple

Miscellaneous

Le Leche League Website

Birthful Podcast

KellyMom.Com

The Business of Being Born movie series

What did I miss? :)

In Joy,

Alex