The Nursing Mother’s Companion
The Nursing Mother’s Companion by Kathleen Huggins is the book you want to get if you are going to be nursing your baby.
The book is written really well and in an organized manner, and it includes everything you need, such as how to survive the first week and what kind of breast pump you should get.
There are different breast pumps, depending on your situation, so the advice is really helpful if you’re staying at home and pumping once a month vs. a working mom who needs a heavy duty pump, since it will be used more frequently.
The Nursing Mother’s Companion also provides information that is helpful to recognize signs of engorgement, a plugged duct, mastitis, and when you should call your doctor.
At the end of the book, there is an entire section about medicine, and which are safe to take while nursing.
I would definitely recommend that you speak with your pediatrician or a lactation consultant when it comes to medicines. But this is so helpful in cases where it’s 3 a.m., you have a horrible headache, and you want to know which over-the-counter drugs are safe to use.
I got the Nursing Mother’s Companion in 1999 when I was pregnant with my first child. It was a gift from my Godmother.
At this point, the book is pretty beat up, but it has been an invaluable guide for me as I’ve nursed my four children.
Every baby brings new concerns and issues, so I’d urge you to buy a copy of the Nursing Mother’s Companion for yourself.