Yvette O’Dowd has been a passionate reader since childhood and her first pregnancy in the 1980s saw her consuming the local library collections of books about pregnancy and childbirth, child development and infant and child care. Having ignited a life-long interest in these subjects, Yvette went on to work in the retail arm of the Nursing Mothers’ Association of Australia (now known as The Australian Breastfeeding Association) from 1995 - 2000. This included the recommendation and sale of books on breastfeeding and human lactation, parenting and related titles to both parents and health professionals.
From 2008 - 2013, Yvette ran The Breastfeeding Centre In Dandenong, Victoria - the Victorian Branch Office of the Australian Breastfeeding Association. Here she curated and maintained an extensive library of books available to both members and volunteers. When establishing the Southern Natural Parenting Network in 2014, Yvette had a vision of a collection of books available to members and the wider community, establishing a community library on wheels available at meets and events. Yvette’ family are resigned to her extensive personal collection, however the evolution to audio and digital formats has limted the physical space required somewhat!
Below you will find Yvette’s recommended titles
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Why the Politics of Breastfeeding Matter
In this updated and condensed version of her seminal work, Gabrielle Palmer explores how breastfeeding is deeply affected by economics, gender inequality, marketing, and public policy. With clarity and urgency, she outlines how global and local systems often work against breastfeeding success — and what must change to protect infant feeding rights.
Breastfeeding: A Practical Guide
This comprehensive guide, published by the Australian Breastfeeding Association, offers over 200 pages of up-to-date information on breastfeeding. It combines scientific research with the collective wisdom of thousands of mothers, providing practical advice and support for parents throughout the first year of their baby's life.
The Positive Breastfeeding Book
This evidence-based guide offers clear, accessible answers to the most common questions new parents have about breastfeeding. Dr. Amy Brown breaks down myths, shares up-to-date research, and provides practical support from pregnancy through weaning. The book empowers readers with information while keeping a reassuring, non-judgemental tone.
The Big Letdown
In this bold and necessary book, Kimberly Seals Allers investigates how medicine, corporate interests, and even strands of feminism have shaped — and often undermined — breastfeeding in modern culture. Through a blend of investigative journalism, social commentary, and personal insight, she exposes the systems that fail breastfeeding families, particularly women of colour.
The Gentle Eating Book
This reassuring and evidence-based guide offers a respectful approach to feeding babies, toddlers, and young children. Sarah Ockwell-Smith addresses common concerns — picky eating, food refusal, family mealtimes, weight worries — with empathy and science, helping parents raise competent, relaxed eaters without bribes, pressure, or power struggles.
Breastfeeding Uncovered
This groundbreaking book explores the cultural, political, and psychological barriers that make breastfeeding harder than it needs to be. Dr. Amy Brown combines research with real-life stories to reveal how societal expectations, lack of support, and misinformation shape the breastfeeding experience. Her approach is compassionate, feminist, and deeply rooted in evidence.
Unlatched
Journalist Jennifer Grayson embarks on a personal and investigative journey to understand the decline of breastfeeding in modern society. Weaving memoir, science, history, and interviews, Unlatched explores how breastfeeding became controversial, how formula became normalized, and what’s been lost in the process — biologically, culturally, and emotionally.
Why Breastfeeding Matters
This short, accessible guide covers the biological, emotional, and societal reasons why breastfeeding remains important in the modern world. It dismantles myths and empowers parents with the knowledge to make informed choices.
Baby-Led Weaning
This influential guide introduces the concept of baby-led weaning — allowing babies to feed themselves solid foods from the start, rather than being spoon-fed purées. Rapley and Murkett explain how babies can safely explore food at their own pace, developing autonomy, coordination, and a healthy relationship with food through responsive, family-based mealtimes.