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The One Best Way? Breastfeeding History, Politics, and Policy in Canada
By Tasnim Nathoo and Aleck Ostry

An excerpt of the book summary reads: “Breastfeeding has officially been considered “the one best way” for feeding infants for the past 150 years of Canadian history. This book examines the history and evolution of breastfeeding policies and practices in Canada from the end of the nineteenth century to the turn of the twenty-first. The authors’ historical approach allows current debates to be situated within a broader social, political, cultural, and economic context.”

You should get it, really. Why? Because it is fantastic, well written, engaging, and informative. Also, breastfeeding practices are relevant to every single one of our lives. There is no escaping the reality that we all had to be fed something in our infancy, and you can be certain that questions as to “the one best way” to feed babies have been swirling fervently over the years.

In fact, debates surrounding decency and harassment (see WestJet harassment article and Delta/Freedom Air complaint), safety and regulation (see Drunken Breastfeeding article), acceptability (see Facebook’s War on Nipples article), and other elements of breastfeeding are still in the forefront of our daily lives. All of this controversy despite the fact that breastfeeding is indeed touted by both governmental and non-governmental health organization as the recommended way to feed your child.

This book is both fascinating and timely. For all our recommendations and guidelines, our "progressive" attitudes, and the right to breastfeed in public, the breastfeeding debates still reign.

For more information on the book check out the Wilfrid Laurier University Press website, and follow their blog for discussions of breastfeeding in the news. To purchase, check out amazon, chapters, or your local book store.