What Does Baby Want? A Board Book About Breastfeeding

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Jennifer Donovan is here today sharing a fabulous new board book about breastfeeding, called “What Does Baby Want?”

I had problems nursing each of my two children. It was something I wanted to do, so when I had a low milk supply with my first daughter, I made daily visits to the very supportive clinic at the hospital in Portland, Oregon where she was born to have her weighed, get help and advice. I breastfed, then I pumped to stimulate additional milk production. A stomach virus for both of us, plummeted that supply again at 6 months, so I stopped.

When my son was born, I faced the same problems. I was living in Houston, Texas, where breastfeeding was certainly supported and encouraged, but the resources were not nearly as abundant. Since I was caring for his 5-year-old big sister, and facing an imminent cross country move, I couldn’t go the extra mile to make it happen. Both of my kids were (and still are) happy and healthy, and I don’t doubt my decisions at all, but 19 and 13 years after the birth of my children, I am so happy to see young moms embracing this choice even more readily with culture changes which make it even easier.

That said, when I received a review copy of this new board book about breastfeeding — What Does Baby Want? — in the mail, I was a little shocked and even embarrassed. I didn’t want to be, but I was, because my American upbringing in the days when moms didn’t breastfeed still causes me to think of breasts as primarily sexual. Unlike siblings of today, when my sister was born, I didn’t nurse my doll so I could be like Mommy. That said, I love the idea of it, and will save my copy to hopefully share with a breastfed grandchild (many years down the line — let’s not rush things!).

The book is about a crying baby. I help with the kids at a Bible study I attend. Trying to soothe a crying baby — especially one missing his or her mama — can be a difficult thing. A favorite toy or blanket can sometimes do the trick, maybe a rock in the swing, but there are times that nothing seems to work.

This simple book goes through those scenarios, showing the baby’s reaction to each proffered item. Sometimes it gets a little smile, but when baby knows what he wants, that distraction is fleeting.

The book itself is round, and makes a cute backdrop for his face, his teddy bear, his ball. But you know what else is round? The two things that almost always will soothe a crying baby. I knew what was coming, but I just wasn’t quite sure how they would be presented. I laughed aloud, because it’s absolutely the truth. What an honest and breastfeeding-positive message!

What Does Baby Want? publishes on June 16, and I can see it becoming a very popular gift for a new baby or an older sibling. You can preorder now and save a few bucks.