Books like Notes to New Mothers

The idea for our book, Between Our Legs, was conceived over a sushi dinner during a girls’ night out, as we shared stories about the gynecological issues we had struggled with throughout our lives. We realized every woman had a story, but as a society we weren’t having those conversations, at least not publicly, not loudly. We wanted to confront that silence, because women’s health is more than just having babies and shouldn’t be shrouded in stigma and taboo. This silence can harm our health. It can even cost us our lives. Our hope is that Between Our Legs will become part of the canon of books that spark those necessary conversations around women’s health. 

The idea for our book, Between Our Legs, was conceived over a sushi dinner during a girls’ night out, as we shared stories about the gynecological issues we had struggled with throughout our lives. We realized every woman had a story, but as a society we weren’t having those conversations, at least not publicly, not loudly. We wanted to confront that silence, because women’s health is more than just having babies and shouldn’t be shrouded in stigma and taboo. This silence can harm our health. It can even cost us our lives. Our hope is that Between Our Legs will become part of the canon of books that spark those necessary conversations around women’s health. 

The idea for our book, Between Our Legs, was conceived over a sushi dinner during a girls’ night out, as we shared stories about the gynecological issues we had struggled with throughout our lives. We realized every woman had a story, but as a society we weren’t having those conversations, at least not publicly, not loudly. We wanted to confront that silence, because women’s health is more than just having babies and shouldn’t be shrouded in stigma and taboo. This silence can harm our health. It can even cost us our lives. Our hope is that Between Our Legs will become part of the canon of books that spark those necessary conversations around women’s health. 

The idea for our book, Between Our Legs, was conceived over a sushi dinner during a girls’ night out, as we shared stories about the gynecological issues we had struggled with throughout our lives. We realized every woman had a story, but as a society we weren’t having those conversations, at least not publicly, not loudly. We wanted to confront that silence, because women’s health is more than just having babies and shouldn’t be shrouded in stigma and taboo. This silence can harm our health. It can even cost us our lives. Our hope is that Between Our Legs will become part of the canon of books that spark those necessary conversations around women’s health. 

I’ve been a lactation consultant and a breastfeeding counsellor for nearly 20 years, ever since my own two breastfeeding journeys. I never stop learning in this job. It’s a professional requirement but, luckily, also an addiction I enjoy. I fully identify as a lactation nerd. I’m the author of 4 books that span the world of breasts and a podcaster. As an ex-teacher, I’m passionate about education and communication. When I can support a parent to reach their goals and feed their child for as long as they want to, it’s a magic feeling and it never gets old. I feel honoured to be doing the work I do.

I got hooked on breastfeeding when, during my health visitor training, our class had a lecture from Drs. Penny and Andrew Stanway, who wrote the original Breast is Best. I breastfed my own children, became a breastfeeding counsellor and lactation consultant (IBCLC), and championed breastfeeding as a health visitor and midwife. I then worked for 14 years with the UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative, teaching and supporting healthcare staff to improve standards of care for breastfeeding mothers and babies. Throughout, I gained a huge respect for babies’ abilities in relation to breastfeeding. This directly influenced my belief in their capacity to continue feeding themselves when they start solid food, which is my current focus.

I got hooked on breastfeeding when, during my health visitor training, our class had a lecture from Drs. Penny and Andrew Stanway, who wrote the original Breast is Best. I breastfed my own children, became a breastfeeding counsellor and lactation consultant (IBCLC), and championed breastfeeding as a health visitor and midwife. I then worked for 14 years with the UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative, teaching and supporting healthcare staff to improve standards of care for breastfeeding mothers and babies. Throughout, I gained a huge respect for babies’ abilities in relation to breastfeeding. This directly influenced my belief in their capacity to continue feeding themselves when they start solid food, which is my current focus.

I got hooked on breastfeeding when, during my health visitor training, our class had a lecture from Drs. Penny and Andrew Stanway, who wrote the original Breast is Best. I breastfed my own children, became a breastfeeding counsellor and lactation consultant (IBCLC), and championed breastfeeding as a health visitor and midwife. I then worked for 14 years with the UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative, teaching and supporting healthcare staff to improve standards of care for breastfeeding mothers and babies. Throughout, I gained a huge respect for babies’ abilities in relation to breastfeeding. This directly influenced my belief in their capacity to continue feeding themselves when they start solid food, which is my current focus.

I’m a clinical and developmental psychologist, a parenting researcher at the University of Queensland, and a mother. My research is focused on applying and commitment therapy (ACT) to parenting including the parenting of children with neurodevelopmental disabilities. I wrote Becoming Mum while becoming a mother for the first time. In fact, much of the book was written while I cuddled my new baby, my laptop propped up on my knees so I could write! I am also the first author of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy the Clinician’s Guide to Supporting Parents. It is the first clinical manual on using ACT with parents.

I got hooked on breastfeeding when, during my health visitor training, our class had a lecture from Drs. Penny and Andrew Stanway, who wrote the original Breast is Best. I breastfed my own children, became a breastfeeding counsellor and lactation consultant (IBCLC), and championed breastfeeding as a health visitor and midwife. I then worked for 14 years with the UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative, teaching and supporting healthcare staff to improve standards of care for breastfeeding mothers and babies. Throughout, I gained a huge respect for babies’ abilities in relation to breastfeeding. This directly influenced my belief in their capacity to continue feeding themselves when they start solid food, which is my current focus.