By Mark Repkin, for The Children’s Book Review
Published: September 23, 2010
What’s Mommy Doing?! Happily Breastfeeding @ the Gen-X Family Table
CHICAGO—April 15, 2009 More than 7 out of 10 moms are doing what comes naturally and foregoing the bottle for the breast, according to the CDC. To an older sibling, however, breastfeeding is anything but a natural event. It’s less time with Mommy. It’s frustrating, annoying and really confusing. And what’s wrong with the sippy cup anyway? Written to restore harmony through understanding, “Mommy Breastfeeds My Baby Brother” is a new children’s book that will be treasured by today’s young families.
“Mommy Breastfeeds My Baby Brother” is a charming, thoughtful portrayal of how a family adjusts to life with an “ever-hungry” infant and an inquisitive two-year-old sibling. Based on personal experiences of author Mark Repkin and his wife Stacy, the sweetly illustrated children’s book relates the perplexing, often amusing situations that arise when Mommy is feeding baby. Pro-breastfeeding families will appreciate the creative ways used to resolve the discord.
“We’ve come a long way with appreciating the importance of breastfeeding,” said Marian Tompson, co-founder of La Leche League International. “Parents want to know how to introduce these concepts to older siblings, and “Mommy Breastfeeds My Baby Brother” provides ideas that worked… .”
Throughout the first half of the book, big sister Jenna finds herself dealing with a range of fresh emotions, from natural curiosity, to green-eyed jealousy, to the insecurity of being “dethroned.” In the end, however, love and ingenuity enable Jenna to understand the importance of nursing and become an adoring sister to baby Spencer and a super helper to Mom and Dad.
“This delightful book is a great addition to a child’s library. The author does a wonderful job assisting siblings in an age-appropriate understanding of breastfeeding as well as guiding the adjustment to her new sibling role,” said Dr. Susan Sirota, private practitioner and pediatric instructor at Northwestern University Medical School. “This book fills a need which has long been unmet for parents. I look forward to recommending it to families in my practice.”
Although 77 percent of moms nationally start to breastfeed, the figure drops dramatically to 36 percent by the time babies reach six months of age, according to a new Brigham Young University study. The American Association of Pediatricians recommends continued breastfeeding through baby’s first year. So why do moms stop nursing? Among the top reasons is the pressure placed on the mother from friends, peers, and family. “Mommy Breastfeeds My Baby Brother” is definitely doing its part to address the latter.
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What Arthur and Barney did for children’s books in the 1990s, first-time author Mark Repkin and illustrator David Moneysmith accomplish by creating characters who connect with today’s families and capture the magic of being a child.
Newly available, 1st edition, 24 page colorful children’s book, Mommy Breastfeeds My Baby Brother, written by Mark Repkin and illustrated by David Moneysmith, is available in hard cover at www.mommybreastfeeds.com for $16.99.
Book Summary: While Jenna’s new baby brother is being breastfed, she learns about the importance of nursing and looks forward to her own time with Mom and Dad and her special Feeding Time Toys™.
Read what the experts are saying about Mommy Breastfeeds My Baby Brother:
We’ve come a long way with appreciating the importance of breastfeeding and parents want to know how to introduce these concepts to the older sibling! MOMMY BREASTFEEDS MY BABY BROTHER provides ideas that worked for one family as they respond to the questions of their older daughter while caring for their newborn breastfed son.
– Marian Tompson, co-founder, LaLeche League International
This delightful book is a great addition to your child’s library. The author does a wonderful job assisting siblings in an age appropriate understanding of breast feeding as well as guiding the adjustment to her new sibling role. This book fills a need which has long been unmet for parents. I look forward to recommending it to families in my practice.
– Dr. Susan Sirota, MD, FAAP, Pediatrician, & Instructor at Northwestern University Medical School
MOMMY BREASTFEEDS MY BABY BROTHER is a wonderful way to introduce the naturalness and normalcy of breastfeeding to a sibling. It provides parents with ideas of how to answer their children’s questions honestly and simply stated. The suggestions of how to make the young sibling feel special during nursing times are priceless. As a mother of 4 who nursed, using those times to share quiet moments with older children helped to ease resentment of the new baby. As a mother and childbirth educator, I would recommend this gook to expectant parents, and expectant siblings.
– Joan Kessler, RN, Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator
There are certainly a lot more resources available for new parents nowadays, and I think MOMMY BREASTFEEDS MY BABY BROTHER will fill a need not previously addressed. This book could have prepared our other children for the quiet time my wife needed to nurse. I especially loved the idea of Feeding Time Toys. What a great idea for getting the older kids to look forward to the time their mom nurses the new baby. As a physician, my patients are always asking me about resources to educate their children about a new baby on the way. MOMMY BREASTFEEDS MY BABY BROTHER will certainly find a place in their library.
–Dr. Scott Hansfield, MD, OB/GYN
Mommy Breastfeeds My Baby Brother
LCCN: 2008933868
ISBN: 978-0-9816538-0-8
Age Level: 2 – 6 years of age
Season: Spring 2009
Publication: Summer 2009
Publisher: Istoria House Publishing
P.O. Box 6342
Vernon Hills, IL 60061
Phone: 847-367-6884
e-mail: [email protected]
Distribution: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, www.mommybreastfeeds.com, and independent book stores.
Add this book to your collection: Mommy Breastfeeds My Baby Brother by Mark Repkin
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