2012 – Mother’s Milk Books
It seems a little off for a male writer to read and review a book on having children, giving birth, breast feeding and weaning, but there is much here for male readers to appreciate too.
This isn’t a guide book or a how to volume, but a celebration of the joys of motherhood in verse, short autobiographical stories and art.
Beautifully presented and illustrated throughout, the themes covered include giving birth, and the despair that comes with miscarriages. The writers and editor generally avoid controversial debates on bottle V breast, public breast feeding and a woman’s right to choose. Such issues are for addressing elsewhere. My stance is very much to the liberal in each case here.
Lovely work including a look at why a new mother finds that far from being distressed by the disruption an infant causes to the sleep cycle by waking up with needs at all hours of the night, the chance to have a private bonding moment with the baby in the calm and timeless night takes on a special near mystical and magical air and becomes an event to look forward to, and cherish.
The selection of the contributors is superbly handled. I am familiar with the work of some of the poets included (I have met a few of them myself). There are some men included to, and several writers describe the special value of baby makes three with great affection.
The book was written to promote and raise support for The La Leche League, a widely respected international support group who help promote the value of natural breastfeeding, and act as an advisory, educational and councelling group for mothers and families.
I found myself regretting never having been a father myself, and wondering how much my Mum might have related to the book from raising myself and my sister. I expect she would have found much here that touches many powerful memories.
Arthur Chappell
Link – The La Leche League http://www.laleche.org.uk