Our Books - Reviews

Breastfeeding and Natural Child Spacing by Sheila Kippley (1999), Couple to Couple League, 224 pages.

BOOK REVIEWS FROM Amazon.com

"It is an amazing book; it changed the way I parented my daughter-for the better and it REALLY worked for child spacing purposes. I was fascinated with the information in this book (which I'd never read or even heard of elsewhere) and it was fun and easy to read. I really REALLY enjoyed being without periods for more than a year too. I think any breastfeeding mom would really benefit from reading this book."

"I am a working mom (soon to make whatever sacrifices I must to retire, as I read more and more studies that children don't do as well when the primary caretaker is someone other than a parent) who has used this method of child spacing with great success. I nurse my daughter on demand when I am at home and at night (no getting up for late night feedings, just flip over and go back to sleep!) and pump once during the day at work and so far my periods haven't returned. My daughter is 22 months old and I haven't had a period since 1997! For anyone who is working and wants to use this method, I would recommend combining it with fertility awareness because the chances of fertility returning are greater when you're not with your child day in and day out. The knowledge that constant mother-baby togetherness causes this natural child spacing leads me to a greater belief that mother and baby are biologically designed to be together at all times."

"Because of my child's high-needs temperament, he pretty much demanded everything advocated in this book: frequent breastfeeding for nutrition and pacification, co-sleeping, napping with baby, etc. Early in my son's life, I felt as though I was 'tied down' to him and was resentful of the enormous amount of attention he required. It was only after reading this book that I felt confident in the choices I was making as a parent. I was reassured that I was doing the very best for my son. By doing what was recommended in the book, I have achieved postpartum amenorrhea for 8 months and am still counting. I recommend wholeheartedly this book to anyone who wants to do the very best for their baby, and achieve natural child spacing as a result."

"The book is laced with sound advice and encouragement pertinent to good mothering skills. The book mothered me which was a Godsend in not having a real mother to impart these truths, as is the case with so many women today. Be ready and willing to delight in staying home and keeping your baby close as Natural Mothering is attachment parenting in its purest form. You may even be surprised to find that you might have to wean away from the practice of Natural Mothering a bit to conceive."

"I was 8 months pregnant when I read this book and it was like a whole new world of parenting options opened up to me. I hadn't had any idea that it was possible to let a baby sleep with you. I didn't know that baby swings and cribs might be a substitute for mom. I had always been taught that picking up a crying child was allowing them to manipulate you. Sheila's book took those societal blinders off my eyes and off my heart. The book changed my life and my children's. I never realized it was so life changing until I saw my daughter doing what is 'normal' as a mother, breastfeeding in bed, sleeping with her child, and always answering her needs. She has learned how to be a mother from me and I learned from this book."

Reviewed by Ruth Lawrence, M.D. (Professor of Pediatrics, Obstetrics & Gynecology; University of Rochester School of Medicine, New York) in the The National Catholic Bioethics Quarterly, Spring 2003

This is the fourth edition of an international classic written by Sheila Matgen Kippley about child spacing and breastfeeding. The first edition was published in 1969. Ongoing study of the subject since that time has continued to confirm the science and dependability of this method of child spacing. Ms. Kippley has called this method ecological breastfeeding to distinguish it from Westernized scheduled breastfeeding, which does not offer the same natural fertility suppression. This method of feeding the infant is termed “ecological” also because it maximizes the use of natural sources of both food and comfort for the baby.

This book combines authentic scientific research, personal experience, and an uncanny ability to speak to mothers and families. The importance of natural child spacing for hundreds of families who do not have access to professionals experienced in the field cannot be underestimated. The discussion is valuable for experienced couples to read and re-read as well. Documentation is cited showing that breastfeeding physiologically suppresses ovulation, delays menses postpartum, and provides natural child spacing. Furthermore, those seeking a method of child spacing will also learn of the tremendous wide range of benefits in breastfeeding in itself, for both infant and mother.

Important advantages of the practice of child spacing through breastfeeding are that the process also enhances breastfeeding and stimulates a good milk supply. Furthermore, as the author points out, it enhances the mother-child relationship. She further demonstrates that the special features of feeding around the clock, sleeping with the child, and nursing whenever the infant wishes does not result in an uncontrollable child but a loving, cooperative child who does not suck his thumb or have sleep problems.

The Lactational Amenorrheal Method (LAM) of child spacing is a similar approach, with emphasis on amenorrhea rather than on mothering. The suppression of ovulation is the key in both techniques. Many carefully controlled studies have been done in various parts of the world that confirm the effectiveness of LAM. The same scientific data would support the use of Kippley’s natural child spacing.

This book describes a process that meets the morality criteria for everyone seeking to follow church teaching, and specifically, it has the blessing of Alfonso Cardinal López Trujillo, President of the Pontifical Council for the Family.

The major changes in this new (1999) edition include the addition of the Seven Standards for Breastfeeding Infertility, especially for the first six months: exclusive breastfeeding for six months, no use of pacifiers or bottles, sleeping with the baby, frequent nursing, and avoidance of separation from the baby. Each point is fully described in a separate chapter. The author emphasizes that breastfeeding harmonizes with the environment. The other major addition is the discussion of the crucial first three years, which urges women to avoid any separation from the child during that period.

In the chapter on the first three years of life, the author makes an impassioned plea to mothers to remain home with their children in the first three years of their lives, as only the mother can provide the nurturing and the nourishing the child so dearly needs. She substantiates this strong statement with quotes from many experts in the field of psychology, social development, and pediatrics. She then shares the views of two experts who clearly demonstrate that the net financial gain for the working mother is extremely low in most cases. Ms. Kippley discusses from a practical standpoint the valuable role of the stay-at-home mother.

Ecological breastfeeding as described by the author is similar to breastfeeding patterns in traditional societies, where generations often live together and role models are abundant. Can and will modern women in industrialized societies practice similar mothering patterns? They will be without role models and surrounded by conflicting messages. With Ecological Breastfeeding as a protocol and Sheila Kippley as a role model, many women can find their way.

This book is a heartwarming reminder of the beauty of motherhood and the great value of bonding with the infant at the breast. The additional benefit of lactational infertility is well described and can be easily understood by parents interested in doing the best for their child, especially in the case of the Catholic family searching for a reliable morally acceptable method of fertility control. Breastfeeding and Natural Child Spacing is inspiring reading.