The Seven Standards of Ecological Breastfeeding: The Frequency Factor
A book review by Bethany Lynn, May 10, 2013.
What a great book! Maybe it is because I have a natural interest in the subject, but I found this book to be a quick, easy read that kept me engaged and fascinated. My first to read on this issue, not exclusive breastfeeding but ecological breastfeeding (and there is a difference!), and I found it to be very balanced on the use of scientific evidence and research and practical encouragement from mothers.
The Seven Standards of Ecological Breastfeeding: The Frequency Factor by Sheila Kippley covers “What every woman needs to know about breastfeeding and spacing babies.” There seems to be two extremes when it comes to breastfeeding and natural child spacing, either, “Breastfeeding doesn’t space babies and is not an effective means of birth control,” or the exact opposite, “you can’t get pregnant while breastfeeding.” This book dispels both of those myths and explains the hows of exclusive, ecological breastfeeding, God’s way of natural spacing children for optimal health of mothers and children.
Chapters include the Seven Standards: breastfeed exclusively for six months, pacify your baby at your breasts, don’t use bottles or pacifiers, sleep with your baby for night feedings, sleep with your baby for a daily-nap feeding, nurse frequently day and night and avoid schedules, avoid any practice that restricts nursing or separates you from your baby, plus chapters on natural weaning and the return of fertility, natural child spacing and systematic natural family planning and support. Sheila cites studies in her book stating the dependability of this form of birth control compared to other forms, the health benefits of ecological breastfeeding for all involved and then the necessity of holding to all seven standards and what to do when fertility returns and families wish to delay pregnancy.
What I really love about this book is that Sheila doesn’t push her views on the reader. She clearly states the benefits of extended, ecological breastfeeding as God’s way for families, and I do believe readers would be convinced of this wonderful method after reading it. Being so natural, I feel this is what mothers are looking for and this book gives this “permission” in their heads to do what their hearts are telling them. Sheila is very supportive of large families and states that she is not promoting small families but simply that God’s ways are best.
Quotes from mothers of all faiths are at the beginning of [and] end of every chapter and many resources for further information and support are included. As another reviewer has said, “Every married couple, doctor, nurse, midwife, childbirth educator, and clergyman needs this book in their library,” and I couldn’t agree more.
The Seven Standards is written as a complimentary guide to Breastfeeding and Natural Child Spacing, although I found The Seven Standards to be a wonderful, stand-alone book that can be read in an afternoon. Many people may find The Seven Standards to be plenty of information.