Healing Breastfeeding Grief
Hilary Jacobson
2016
This gentle and compassionate book explores the emotional impact of difficult or disrupted breastfeeding experiences. Hilary Jacobson offers validation, healing practices, and space for parents to process grief related to unmet breastfeeding goals. Through storytelling, self-reflection, and guided exercises, the book supports emotional recovery and reconnection.
Why It’s Included:
Too often, breastfeeding grief is minimized or dismissed. This book gives language and legitimacy to those experiences. It fits with our values of informed choice, emotional safety, and recognising breastfeeding as both a physical and relational act. It’s especially helpful in peer support settings or personal reflection.
Who It’s For:
For any parent who experienced loss, disappointment, or trauma in their breastfeeding journey. Also valuable for breastfeeding counsellors, doulas, and mental health professionals supporting families after a difficult start.
“As a breastfeeding counsellor for more than 30 years, I have seen breastfeeding grief for what it is - real, raw and traumatic. Often guilt-ridden. Rarely acknowledged and often dismissed. The circumstances will be unique and cover the breadth of experiences, from not being able to initiate breastfeeding due to maternal physical or mental health barriers through to ending the breastfeeding relationship abruptly or earlier than hoped. This book is for every mother (including myself) who has wept with the loss.”
