Practical Breastfeeding
An Illustrated Guide For Parents
Published on 5. June 2025
Book
Paperback/Softback
354 pages
978-1-914487-39-2 (ISBN)
Description
'An absolutely fabulous book' Cathy Monaghan, senior paediatric dietitian
'A much-needed resource for parents' Sheena Byrom, OBE, midwife
Practical Breastfeeding is the calm, evidence-based companion new parents need for the first weeks and beyond.
International Board Certified Lactation Consultant Caoimhe Whelan guides you step-by-step through latch and positioning, the golden hours, cluster feeding, pumping, mastitis and blocked ducts, low milk supply, mental health, safe sleep, and gentle weaning—beautifully illustrated by Lauren Rebbeck for instant “I can do that” clarity.
She answers key questions such as how to latch, how often to feed a newborn, whether you can drink alcohol and what is best to eat to produce breastmilk.
>• Clear, picture-led instructions for latch, holds and troubleshooting
• Day-by-day expectations for the first week
• Relief strategies for sore nipples, engorgement, blocked ducts and mastitis
• Pumping plans and return-to-work logistics
• Low-supply pathways
• Postpartum mental health support (baby blues, anxiety, intrusive thoughts)
• Safe-sleep guidance that protects attachment and milk supply
• Special circumstances: prematurity, tongue-tie, reflux, jaundice, medication safety
• Gentle weaning plans—partial or complete—with scripts and checklists
Warm, non-judgemental and practical, this book helps you sleep more, stress less and feed your baby with confidence—whatever your starting point, birth story or goals.
Perfect for: New mothers and partners, baby-care gift lists, antenatal classes, postnatal teams, health visitors, IBCLCs and peer supporters.
Expert help
Caoimhe Whelan is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) working in private practice in Dublin, Ireland.
Prior to qualifying, she was a voluntary breastfeeding supporter with Cuidiu, the Irish equivalent of the National Childbirth Trust, for eight years. In her 15-plus years of volunteering and working in private practice, she has passionately supported parents through their own breastfeeding journeys.
Read the glowing reviews for this caring and expert book
'In a world saturated with conflicting advice and often unrealistic portrayals of early parenthood, Caoimhe Whelan offers a breath of fresh air: evidence-based, compassionate, and beautifully accessible guidance.’ Sheena Byrom, OBE, midwife, co-owner of All4Maternity and The Practising Midwife Journal
'My first thought when I saw this book was: “Wow, this is beautiful!” As a 36-year-old breastfeeding mother of two, I have never come across illustrations that reflected me and my life so honestly, capturing both the rawness and beauty of motherhood.' Tessa Clemson, Pregnancy and Mummy and Baby Yoga Instructor
'Beautifully laid out in easy-to-follow sections, and completely evidence-based without the dryness that can make books a hard read. I don't think I've seen a breastfeeding book this engaging before.' - Jan Eyde, IBCLC, Breastfeeding Norfolk
'This is an absolutely fabulous book. It covers everything and it is so wonderfully inclusive in every possible way. It has a beautiful uplifting feel about it and balances the benefits with the struggles so beautifully' – Cathy Monaghan, Senior Paediatric Dietitian
'This book is amazing! It explains everything so well. If you are looking for a book to buy as a gift or for yourself, that talks about everything to do with breastfeeding, then this is for you.' – Ciara Butler, IBCLC, Midwife, Nurse
Buy the book and start reading
'A much-needed resource for parents' Sheena Byrom, OBE, midwife
Practical Breastfeeding is the calm, evidence-based companion new parents need for the first weeks and beyond.
International Board Certified Lactation Consultant Caoimhe Whelan guides you step-by-step through latch and positioning, the golden hours, cluster feeding, pumping, mastitis and blocked ducts, low milk supply, mental health, safe sleep, and gentle weaning—beautifully illustrated by Lauren Rebbeck for instant “I can do that” clarity.
She answers key questions such as how to latch, how often to feed a newborn, whether you can drink alcohol and what is best to eat to produce breastmilk.
>• Clear, picture-led instructions for latch, holds and troubleshooting
• Day-by-day expectations for the first week
• Relief strategies for sore nipples, engorgement, blocked ducts and mastitis
• Pumping plans and return-to-work logistics
• Low-supply pathways
• Postpartum mental health support (baby blues, anxiety, intrusive thoughts)
• Safe-sleep guidance that protects attachment and milk supply
• Special circumstances: prematurity, tongue-tie, reflux, jaundice, medication safety
• Gentle weaning plans—partial or complete—with scripts and checklists
Warm, non-judgemental and practical, this book helps you sleep more, stress less and feed your baby with confidence—whatever your starting point, birth story or goals.
Perfect for: New mothers and partners, baby-care gift lists, antenatal classes, postnatal teams, health visitors, IBCLCs and peer supporters.
Expert help
Caoimhe Whelan is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) working in private practice in Dublin, Ireland.
Prior to qualifying, she was a voluntary breastfeeding supporter with Cuidiu, the Irish equivalent of the National Childbirth Trust, for eight years. In her 15-plus years of volunteering and working in private practice, she has passionately supported parents through their own breastfeeding journeys.
Read the glowing reviews for this caring and expert book
'In a world saturated with conflicting advice and often unrealistic portrayals of early parenthood, Caoimhe Whelan offers a breath of fresh air: evidence-based, compassionate, and beautifully accessible guidance.’ Sheena Byrom, OBE, midwife, co-owner of All4Maternity and The Practising Midwife Journal
'My first thought when I saw this book was: “Wow, this is beautiful!” As a 36-year-old breastfeeding mother of two, I have never come across illustrations that reflected me and my life so honestly, capturing both the rawness and beauty of motherhood.' Tessa Clemson, Pregnancy and Mummy and Baby Yoga Instructor
'Beautifully laid out in easy-to-follow sections, and completely evidence-based without the dryness that can make books a hard read. I don't think I've seen a breastfeeding book this engaging before.' - Jan Eyde, IBCLC, Breastfeeding Norfolk
'This is an absolutely fabulous book. It covers everything and it is so wonderfully inclusive in every possible way. It has a beautiful uplifting feel about it and balances the benefits with the struggles so beautifully' – Cathy Monaghan, Senior Paediatric Dietitian
'This book is amazing! It explains everything so well. If you are looking for a book to buy as a gift or for yourself, that talks about everything to do with breastfeeding, then this is for you.' – Ciara Butler, IBCLC, Midwife, Nurse
Buy the book and start reading
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
200 color illustrations
Dimensions
Height: 231 mm
Width: 150 mm
Thickness: 21 mm
Weight
532 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-914487-39-2 (9781914487392)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
06/2025
Canbury
€9.49
Available for download
Persons
Content
Introduction 7
Chapter 1. Thinking About Breastfeeding, 9
Chapter 2. Breasts, Colostrum, and Antenatal Hand Expression, 37
Chapter 3. Birth and the Golden Hours, 51
Chapter 4. The First Week, 75
Chapter 5. Weeks Two and Three, 103
Chapter 6. Life in the Fourth Trimester, 121
Chapter 7. Using Social Media, 135
Chapter 8. Sore Nipples and Tricky Nipples, 143
Chapter 9. Mastitis, Blocked Ducts and Breast Pain, 161
Chapter 10. Pumps and Pumping, 173
Chapter 11. Postpartum Mental Health and Breastfeeding, 189
Chapter 12. Breastfeeding and Sleep, 207
Chapter 13. When Breastfeeding is Hard, 225
Chapter 14. Low Milk Supply, 245
Chapter 15. Drugs, Food and Alcohol, 269
Chapter 16. Outside the Box Lactation, 285
Chapter 17. Maternal Conditions/Illnesses and Breastfeeding, 303
Chapter 18. Infant Conditions/Illnesses, 311
Chapter 19. Breastfeeding Beyond the Fourth Trimester, 323
Chapter 20. Stopping Breastfeeding, 335
Additional Resources, 347
Acknowledgements, 350
Chapter 1. Thinking About Breastfeeding, 9
Chapter 2. Breasts, Colostrum, and Antenatal Hand Expression, 37
Chapter 3. Birth and the Golden Hours, 51
Chapter 4. The First Week, 75
Chapter 5. Weeks Two and Three, 103
Chapter 6. Life in the Fourth Trimester, 121
Chapter 7. Using Social Media, 135
Chapter 8. Sore Nipples and Tricky Nipples, 143
Chapter 9. Mastitis, Blocked Ducts and Breast Pain, 161
Chapter 10. Pumps and Pumping, 173
Chapter 11. Postpartum Mental Health and Breastfeeding, 189
Chapter 12. Breastfeeding and Sleep, 207
Chapter 13. When Breastfeeding is Hard, 225
Chapter 14. Low Milk Supply, 245
Chapter 15. Drugs, Food and Alcohol, 269
Chapter 16. Outside the Box Lactation, 285
Chapter 17. Maternal Conditions/Illnesses and Breastfeeding, 303
Chapter 18. Infant Conditions/Illnesses, 311
Chapter 19. Breastfeeding Beyond the Fourth Trimester, 323
Chapter 20. Stopping Breastfeeding, 335
Additional Resources, 347
Acknowledgements, 350