Unbuttoned: Women Open Up About the Pleasures, Pains, and Politics of Breastfeeding
Maureen Connolly, Dana Sullivan
This collection of essays brings together a diverse group of women sharing deeply personal experiences of breastfeeding—raw, humorous, joyful, and painful. The book explores not just the act of feeding a baby, but the emotional, cultural, and political layers that surround it.
Why It’s Included
We value this book for how it amplifies real voices and stories, offering validation, solidarity, and nuance. It breaks down the binary of ‘success’ and ‘failure’ in breastfeeding, instead recognising that every journey is complex and worthy of reflection.
Who It’s For
Perfect for those who enjoy reflective writing and want to hear a range of lived experiences around breastfeeding. This is a powerful resource for birth and lactation workers, as well as parents exploring their own relationship with infant feeding.
“The collective wisdom of women is harder for new parents to access, despite living in the most connected generation there is a disconnection never seen before. Books like this reconnect women to those who have walked the path before them and encourages us to share our own journey with those who follow.”
Further Reading
Breastwork: Rethinking Breastfeeding – Alison Bartlett
Breastfeeding, Take Two – Stephanie Casemore
Why the Politics of Breastfeeding Matter – Gabrielle Palmer
Why Breastfeeding Grief and Trauma Matter – Amy Brown
