My Book Recommendations

If you’re looking for a breastfeeding-friendly take on postpartum depression, A Breastfeeding-Friendly Approach to Postpartum Depression by Dr. Kathleen Kendall-Tackett is exactly that—packed with evidence showing that continuing to breastfeed often supports moms’ recovery and can even lower depression risk. Written in a clear, accessible style, it blends scientific findings with practical assessment tools, treatment plans, and screening resources—all designed to help providers support both emotional health and lactation goals. This concise, research-based guide is ideal for anyone working with new parents who want a compassionate, breastfeeding-inclusive approach to postpartum mood disorders.

Breastfeeding: A Guide for the Medical Profession by Lawerence and Lawerence is a powerhouse reference. It’s thorough, evidence-based, and covers everything from the basics of lactation physiology to complex clinical situations. While it’s more of a textbook than a quick read, it’s an essential go-to for anyone wanting a deep dive into the science and clinical management of breastfeeding. Whether you’re new to lactation support or brushing up on advanced topics, this book will absolutely elevate your practice.

Working with late preterm infants chan be challenging. Breastfeeding Challenges Made Easy for Late Preterm Infants by Sandra Cole is exactly what you need. It’s practical, down-to-earth, and full of targeted strategies for babies who may look full-term but often have more delicate feeding rhythms and stamina. Sandra Cole breaks it all down—latch techniques, scheduling, growth tracking—in a conversational yet evidence-informed style that guides both practitioners and parents through the nuanced care these babies need.

This is a great, go-to book to recommend to parents or use as a foundation in your own practice, Breastfeeding Made Simple by Nancy Mohrbacher and Kathleen Kendall-Tackett is a gem. It explains the “Seven Natural Laws” of breastfeeding in a clear, supportive, and nonjudgmental way that makes the whole process feel less overwhelming. Whether you’re working with first-time parents or those needing a confidence boost, this book meets them where they are with practical tips and real-world guidance grounded in evidence and empathy.

If you’re a clinician looking for a comprehensive, evidence-based resource, Breastfeeding Management for the Clinician: Using the Evidence by Marsha Walker is a staple. It’s packed with up-to-date research, practical clinical guidance, and real-world insights that make it easy to apply what you’re learning directly to your practice. Whether you’re troubleshooting latch issues, managing complex cases, or educating families, this book gives you the tools and confidence to provide high-quality lactation care.

This is another great resource for working with late preterm infants.  Clinics in Human Lactation: Breastfeeding the Late Preterm Infant by Marsha Walker is a must-read. This friendly yet firmly evidence-informed guide tackles why these “little imposters” often face hypothermia, hypoglycemia, respiratory instability, weak suck-swallow-breathe coordination, and more—and it gives you clear, practical strategies like latch support, supplemental feeding methods, milk supply optimization, and post-discharge planning. With helpful visuals, sample feeding plans, and clinical wisdom, it feels like a mentor in print for anyone helping moms breastfeed these vulnerable babies

For clinicians or lactation consultants looking to sharpen your problem-solving skills, Case Studies in Breastfeeding: Problem‑Solving Skills and Strategies by Karin Cadwell and Cindy Turner‑Maffei is a must-read. This accessible, case-based book presents real-world scenarios—from common latch struggles to complex maternal-infant dynamics—and guides you through structured logic, data collection, active listening, and clinical evaluation. It’s engaging (one reader said it “reads like a mystery novel”) yet packed with practical frameworks that help you analyze problems deeply and support families more confidently

This is a primer for anyone aiming to refine your intake and examination skills. Clinics in Human Lactation: History and Assessment – It’s All in the Details by Denise Altman is a must-have. It presents practical advice in a conversational style—showing you how to take a thorough breastfeeding history and conduct a detailed physical assessment, complete with case examples and sample forms. Think of it as the ultimate bedside mentor that helps you spot issues early, ask the right questions, and gather the clues you need to support successful breastfeeding outcomes

Depression in New Mothers by Dr. Kathleen Kendall‑Tackett  is a compassionate, evidence-rich resource that explores everything—from risk factors and biological triggers to screening tools and treatment strategies—blending clinical research with real-life case examples. Dr. Kendall‑Tackett’s conversational tone makes complex topics feel approachable, helping you move seamlessly from understanding root causes to implementing practical, tailored interventions. Whether you’re diagnosing, counseling, or coordinating care, this two-volume set feels like a trusted mentor guiding you through each step of supporting moms’ mental health.

This is a great, compact, evidence-based resource. Pocket Guide for Lactation Management by Karin Cadwell and Cindy Turner‑Maffei is an invaluable companion. This spiral‑bound guide delivers quick‐access strategies on everything from breastfeeding physiology to troubleshooting common challenges—complete with charts, counseling frameworks, Baby‑Friendly hospital protocols, and handy appendices. It’s designed for on-the-spot use during clinical encounters, helping you confidently support families through the full spectrum of lactation care.

While I don’t love the term insufficient, Finding Sufficiency: Breastfeeding With Insufficient Glandular Tissue by Diana Cassar‑Uhl is a compassionate game‑changer. It blends up‑to‑date science with emotional insight, guiding you and the family through what can feel like a lonely, perplexing experience—complete with practical tips, clinical understanding, and real-world encouragement. Whether you’re a lactation consultant or a clinician, this book offers both validation and actionable strategies to help families navigate and make the most of their breastfeeding journey

If you’re drawn to heartfelt, real-life stories woven with clinical insight, Held Together: A Shared Memoir of Motherhood, Medicine, and Imperfect Love by Dr. Rebecca N. Thompson is a must-read. In this moving memoir, Dr. Thompson—a primary care physician—shares her own journey through multiple pregnancy losses and rare complications alongside the powerful stories of 21 patients, friends, and colleagues grappling with infertility, adoption, mental health, and myriad family-building paths. The result is an intimate tapestry of resilience, grief, and connection that reminds us there’s no single “normal” way to become a mother—and that healing often happens in community and compassion

This is an excellent, evidence-based reference on holistic maternal and infant wellness, Herbal Handbook for Perinatal and Pediatric Wellness by Melissa Cole is a fantastic choice. This friendly yet informative guide blends traditional herbal wisdom with evidence-based insight, giving you safe, practical suggestions for during pregnancy, breastfeeding, infancy, and early childhood. Organized by life stage and symptom, it’s conversational and easy to flip through—perfect for busy clinicians looking to integrate gentle, plant-based tools into family care with confidence and clarity.

For all NICU clinicians or lactation consultants aiming to improve human milk use for fragile infants, Human Milk in the NICU: Policy into Practice by Lois D.W. Arnold is essential. This comprehensive yet readable guide explores the medical advantages of both maternal and donor milk, dives into ethical and policy considerations, and outlines a practical “Baby‑Friendly” ten-step framework—from early skin‑to‑skin and milk expression to milk banking protocols in the NICU. With its clear, well-supported recommendations, this book helps you confidently champion human milk practices in hospital settings and elevate care for preterm and sick newborns.

This is an important book for anyone passionate about understanding how birth choices shape feeding outcomes. Impact of Birthing Practices on Breastfeeding by Linda J. Smith and Mary Kroeger is an illuminating resource. This conversational yet research-rich guide explores how interventions—like epidurals, C-sections, early separation, even aspects like maternal positioning—can subtly influence infant feeding rhythms and maternal physiology. It doesn’t just unpack the science; it offers practical strategies to maintain that birth‑breastfeeding connection, making it a must‑read for clinicians, midwives, doulas, and anyone supporting families through the full continuum of care.

While we’re passionate about our work, we can burnout. Keep the Fires Burning: Conquering Stress and Burnout as a Mother-Baby Professional is a breath of fresh air. Written specifically for those caring for postpartum families, this book blends real-life stories with practical strategies—think mindful boundary-setting, peer support, and self-care rituals you can actually fit into a busy day. It’s not just another motivational read; it’s a sincere, empathetic guide that reminds you how to sustain your passion and energy in the work you love, without burning out.

Every IBCLC needs to read Legal and Ethical Issues for the IBCLC by Elizabeth C. Brooks (JD, IBCLC, FILCA). It is an indispensable guide. With a conversational tone, Brooks walks you through everything from navigating the IBLCE Code of Professional Conduct to handling privacy laws, intellectual property, conflicts of interest, and even courtroom scenarios. Packed with real-world examples and practical checklists, this book equips you to safeguard both your clients and your practice—so you can focus on providing confident, ethical lactation care.

Want to understanding how public health messaging can go disastrously wrong in even the most personal areas—like milk? Mad Cows and Mother’s Milk: The Perils of Poor Risk Communication by Douglas Powell and William Leiss is a compelling and accessible read. Through gripping case studies—like the mad cow outbreak, E. coli in hamburgers, silicone breast implants, dioxins, and PCBs—it shows how miscommunication or silence from authorities can breed fear, confusion, and costly outcomes. Written in a conversational yet insightful style, it delivers scholarly analysis with real-world impact—perfect for clinicians, public health professionals, or anyone curious about how trust and transparency shape health decisions.

If you’re a clinician, lactation consultant, or student seeking a deep yet practical guide, Maternal and Infant Assessment for Breastfeeding and Human Lactation by Karin Cadwell, Cynthia Turner‑Maffei, Barbara O’Connor, Anna Cadwell Blair, and Donna Wells is an outstanding resource. With a friendly, case-based approach, it walks you through detailed clinical assessments—from evaluating breast and nipple anatomy to assessing infant oral function—while offering evidence-backed evaluation tools, red-flag indicators, and intervention strategies. It feels like having a seasoned mentor at your side, helping you notice subtle signs, ask the right questions, and craft individualized care plans that truly support breastfeeding success.

For clinicians or therapists working across age groups with feeding, speech, or oral motor issues, Oral Motor Assessment and Treatment: Ages and Stages by Diane Chapman Bahr is an incredible resource. It’s written in a conversational yet authoritative tone, starting with the anatomy and neurology of oral function and walking you through practical, stage-based assessment and intervention—from infants to adults. Packed with case examples, interactive exercises, and life-stage treatment strategies, it feels like a hands-on mentor guiding you through each milestone, helping you make confident, evidence-based decisions with every client

If you want to dive into the evidence around parent–infant sleep, Safe Infant Sleep: Expert Answers to Your Cosleeping Questions by Dr. James J. McKenna is an eye-opening yet warmly conversational guide. Drawing on decades of global research and his pioneering Mother‑Baby Behavioral Sleep Lab studies, McKenna gently debunks common myths about cosleeping, introduces the term “breastsleeping,” and offers clear, practical strategies for safe arrangements—whether it’s room‑sharing or bed‑sharing.

I recommend this book to all of my students. Supporting Sucking Skills in Breastfeeding Infants by Catherine Watson Genna is a must-have. This conversational yet expert-led guide dives into the anatomy and neurology of sucking, offering hands-on strategies for normal and challenged feeders—covering issues like prematurity, tongue-tie, respiratory irregularities, and anatomical variations. Packed with clear photos, case examples, and a multidisciplinary approach grounded in current research, it empowers you to assess, intervene, and coach families confidently—like having a seasoned mentor right beside you during every feeding session.

If you’re looking to understand how breastfeeding has been shaped—and often undermined—by societal forces, The Big Letdown: How Medicine, Big Business, and Feminism Undermine Breastfeeding by Kimberly Seals Allers is a must-read. Written in a conversational yet incisive tone, Allers blends sharp journalism, compelling personal stories, and in-depth reporting to examine how the medical establishment, formula industry, and even certain strands of feminist ideology have all contributed to sidelining breastfeeding. It’s eye-opening, well-researched, and equips clinicians, advocates, and parents with both historical context and a roadmap to advocate for better, more supportive environments for breastfeeding families.

The Politics of Breastfeeding: When Breasts Are Bad for Business by Gabrielle Palmer is a must-read. This eye-opening book dives deep into how global industries, economic systems, and cultural forces have shaped—and often sabotaged—breastfeeding. Palmer connects the dots between corporate marketing, public policy, gender roles, and global health, all while writing in a style that’s approachable and thought-provoking. It’s the kind of book that shifts your perspective and leaves you questioning who really benefits when breastfeeding is undermined.