'Your Feeding Questions Answered' by Annabel Karmel - What WE Say...

I must admit, I sighed when I saw the title of this book. I assumed, before even opening it, that it would be filled with the same old questions that you read in every magazine and in all the literature handed out by midwives, etc. But I was wrong.

Set out chronologically (from 0-6 months to 18-36 months), yes, it includes some of the same old questions ("Why is it so important to breastfeed for the first few days"), but also includes questions that I really wanted the answer to, like "Is it necessary to feed from both breasts during every feed?" and "What additives and preservatives should I avoid when I need to use jars?"

It also features absolutely gorgeous-sounding recipes - from Beef, Mushroom and Spinach Stir-fry (to boost a breastfeeding mum's iron levels) to packed lunch ideas and Blueberry-Lime Cheesecake.

One of things that really made me feel positive about this book was the inclusion of the question, "I don't enjoy breastfeeding at all and want to give it up, but I feel incredibly guilty. Does it matter that much?" and the warm, generous and sensitive response (the gist of which is, if you don't enjoy breastfeeding it can become negative for both mother and baby and that bottle-feeding can also be warm, nurturing and positive."

But the most important aspect of this book for me was that I changed the way I fed my son from the day I started reading it. I genuinely hadn't realised that Joe, once he'd turned six months, could eat literally anything. Since that realisation he's had eggs, cheese, yoghurt, toast, salmon, cod, tuna, mash, kippers (!), mango... and has even sampled Krispy Kreme doughnuts and Chocolate Buttons.

I'm really grateful to Annabel Karmel for such an informative and easy-to-navigate book. And Joe's even more grateful for all the yummy food.

Website: Buy from Amazon here