Three books on breastfeeding and motherhood
In the last three years, Sheila Kippley has published three books on breastfeeding, two of which were recently published. The books are as follows:
Breastfeeding and Catholic Motherhood (Sophia Institute Press, 2005) 120 pages, quality paperback, $10.95.
The Seven Standards of Ecological Breastfeeding: The Frequency Factor ((Lulu, 2008) 116 pages, quality paperback, $11.99.
Breastfeeding and Natural Child Spacing: The Ecology of Natural Mothering (Lulu, 2008) 180 pages, quality paperback, classic edition, $14.95.
The question that must come to mind of many readers is this: Why three books dealing with breastfeeding? Wouldn’t one be sufficient? Well, yes, all of the information could have been put into one book, but each book is written from a different perspective and handles different material. Putting everything together would muddy the focus.
Breastfeeding and Catholic Motherhood focuses on the spiritual and theological aspects of the title. It applies John Paul II’s Theology of the Body to the womanly, bodily act of love called breastfeeding. We are not aware of any other book, even those specifically about the Theology of the Body, that has made this application. We hope it has many imitators, but for the present, it appears to be unique. A great engagement or wedding gift to a loved one.
The Seven Standards of Ecological Breastfeeding focuses on seven aspects of baby care that definitely affect the duration of breastfeeding amenorrhea. It is the up-to-date revision of the 1999 edition of Breastfeeding and Natural Child Spacing which is now out of print. This book is eminently practical, based both on research and the practical experience of mothers. It shows that ecological breastfeeding according to the Seven Standards IS a form of natural family planning that DOES work.
The Seven Standards will be of interest to those couples desiring breastfeeding’s natural extended infertility and for those who want to use it as a text for their students. I think this makes a wonderful gift for the pregnant mother.
Breastfeeding and Natural Child Spacing: The Ecology of Natural Mothering is essentially a paperback republication of the 1974 Harper & Row hard cover edition of the same title. This book is all about natural mothering—really learning to enjoy your baby, taking him with you wherever you go, and following your mothering instincts in the face of cultural obstacles. Sheila was persuaded by Pam Pilch, the founder of Catholic Nursing Mothers League, to republish this work as well as The Seven Standards. Of all the editions of Breastfeeding and Natural Child Spacing, this is Pam’s favorite.
I think it makes a great gift to the mom who has read one or both of the other books and has a few months of breastfeeding experience. It will offer her much needed support as she carries on the practice of ecological breastfeeding with a baby who is no longer an infant.
All the books are available at our website.
Next week: Some differences between CCL and NFP International
John F. Kippley
Husband and proofreader
Sex and the Marriage Covenant