Although the convenience and widespread availability of baby formula sometimes presents a tempting option to new mothers—in particular, when having difficulty nursing—the bottom line where infant health and well being is concerned is clear: breast is best. Ample scientific research supports the benefits of breastfeeding, from the many nutritional benefits of breast milk on the immune system, to the psychological nurturing that occurs between mother and baby when nursing.

Below is a list of breastfeeding support materials, intended to help new mothers get answers to their breastfeeding questions.

breastfeeding books

Huggins, Kathleen. The Nursing Mother's Companion: Revised Edition. Harvard Common Press: 2005.

Kendall-Tackett, Kathleen & Nancy Mohrbacher. Breastfeeding Made Simple: Seven Natural Laws for Nursing Mothers. New Harbinger Publications: 2005.

La Leche League International. The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding: Seventh Revised Edition. Plume: 2004.

Newman, Jack & Teresa Pitman. The Ultimate Breastfeeding Book of Answers Revised and Updated: The Most Comprehensive Problem-Solving Guide to Breastfeeding from the Foremost Expert in North America. Three Rivers Press: 2006.

Sears, Martha & William Sears. The Breastfeeding Book: Everything You Need to Know About Nursing Your Child from Birth Through Weaning. Little, Brown and Company: 2000.

why breastfeed?

Benefits of breastfeeding: dr. greene
http://www.drgreene.com/54_12.html

Benefits of breastfeeding: U.S. breastfeeding committee
http://usbreastfeeding.org/Issue-Papers/Benefits.pdf

Breastfeeding benefits from top to bottom
http://www.askdrsears.com/html/2/t020300.asp

How breastfeeding benefits you and your baby
http://www.babycenter.com/0_how-breastfeeding-benefits-you-and-your-baby_8910.bc

Quantifying the Benefits of Breastfeeding: A Summary of the Evidence
http://www.paho.org/English/AD/FCH/BOB-Main.htm

Top 10 reasons to breastfeed
http://pregnancy.about.com/od/breastfeedinginfo/tp/tpbfing.htm

breastfeeding web sites

Breast is best
http://www.breast-feeding-information.com/

Breastfeeding online
http://www.breastfeedingonline.com/

La leche league
http://www.llli.org/

Mothering magazine
www.mothering.com

instructional resources

Dr. Jack Newman’s Visual Guide to Breastfeeding
http://www.drjacknewman.com