Practical Breastfeeding

Caoimhe Whelan is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) working in private practice in Dublin, Ireland. Prior to qualifying as an IBCLC, she was a voluntary breastfeeding supporter with Cuidiu (the Irish equivalent of the National Childbirth Trust) for eight years. In her 15+ years of volunteering and working in private practice, Caoimhe has always been passionate about providing individualised support to parents and helping them to have an experience of breastfeeding or lactation that they are happy with.Caoimhe is particularly interested in women's and parents' lived experiences of breastfeeding and transitioning to motherhood. In 2023, she graduated from University College Dublin with an MSc. in research. She studied women's experiences of breastfeeding with primary low milk supply and her findings were published in  Breastfeeding Medicine and International Breastfeeding Journal. Caoimhe is an accomplished speaker and has presented at many national and national breastfeeding conferences, including the International Lactation Consultant Association conference, GOLD Lactation, iLactation, The New Zealand Lactation Consultant Association conference, and the Lactation Consultants of Great Britain conference.Lauren Rebbeck is an illustrator, author and mother, with years of experience creating artwork for lactation specialists, NHS maternity trusts, midwifery journals, independent midwives and maternity co-operatives. Lauren creates relatable imagery to bridge the gap between maternity service and parents: using her illustrations to showcase the inspiring skills and compassion of midwives and birth workers, whilst acknowledging the transformative highs, lows and challenges of new parents. An advocate for inclusion, equity and representation, Lauren strives to depict under-represented or marginalised communities within her illustrations. Lauren’s work depicts the ideals of safe birth and postnatal care for all.

'Practical Breastfeeding is an outstanding and much-needed resource for today's parents. 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. As an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant and a mother of three, Caoimhe brings both professional expertise and personal insight to every page. 'Whether mothers are preparing for their breastfeeding journey, seeking reassurance through the challenges, or looking for clear, practical advice, Practical Breastfeeding will be an invaluable companion. It neither promises perfection nor downplays the hurdles — instead, it encourages every parent to find their own path with kindness, knowledge, and resilience. It is an essential addition to the modern library of parenthood.’ 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. The book is easy to read and visually enjoyable. Sometimes I dipped in and ou — grabbing quick facts when I needed them. Other times, I read several chapters at once while nap-trapped. It suits the rhythm of parenting life perfectly. My five-year-old daughter loved it too. She pointed at different pages, excitedly saying “this is me” and “this is you.” 'Right from the start, the book addresses something I think about a lot lately—how social media often paints a filtered, unrealistic version of pregnancy and motherhood. This book is the antidote. It’s grounded, supportive and filled with genuinely helpful information. It covers all the topics me and my friends talk about when we’re in a room together. There are so many practical tips throughout. This would make a wonderful gift for anyone who’s pregnant or has a baby, toddler, or older child who’s still breastfeeding.' 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, and I think new mums and parents would really appreciate it too.' - 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 – I think any mum would feel empowered after reading it and know that it is OK to find it hard, but know that it will pass. The illustrations are great – I giggled at the social media breastfeeding yogi!' – Cathy Monaghan, Senior Paediatric Dietitian 'This book is amazing! The illustrations are beautiful, the language is so inclusive, and it covers everything you might want to know about breastfeeding, from conception right through to birth, weaning and sleep. The book is just so stunning. 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

• 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