The following is the transcript of an interview with Stacey Rubin, author of the ABCs of Breastfeeding that originally appeared on Natural Moms Talk Radio. You can listen to the interview in its entirety there. You can also read a review of the book ABCs of Breastfeeding here.

Carrie: I think your book has a really fresh approach and I enjoyed it very much. What made you want to write this book?

Stacey: I was really moved by my clients' stories and by the issues that modern moms are facing, and it motivated me to put it together in a book.

Carrie: One of the things I appreciated is that many breastfeeding challlenges can be avoided... that's such an important message. I think many problems come up because of us getting in our own way and trying to overmanage, or from bad advice we've gotten. One of the most important points is that breastfeding preparation starts before birth, starting with a positive mindset. I see a lot of moms going into it with a very negative mindset that breastfeeding is something they'll have to slog their way through, that is will be miserable with one challenge after another.

Stacey: I noticed right away that moms were saying "my mother/or my doctor told me it wasn't going to work out...". Things they're exposed to media or things they've read. And it doesn't have to be that way. Taking that first step and acknowledging that yes I have some negative feelings or questions. Addressing that and changing it to be a positive affirmation can change the whole experience of breastfeeding relationship.

Carrie: We know positive affirmations work. A lot of women don't realize that breastfeeding is tied in with feelings and emotions. That's why you have women who had no problem nursing but have trouble pumping.

Stacey: It's because they need to trick their mind into thinking they're breastfeeding. A very good example of what I'm talking about.

Carrie: You talk about finding breastfeeding friendly health care practitioners. Give us some tips on that because every Doctor is going to state that breastfeeding is best, but when push comes to shove...

Stacey: ... are they going to give evidence based advice or fact based advice, meaning advice that supports rather than sabotages breastfeeding. So I suggest that you meet with them beforehand to take a look at the office. Right off the bat that can give you information. If there is advertising everywhere for formula and bottles, you know that office is influenced by pharmaceutical companies that make formula. You know they're taking advice from formula manufacturs, and you know that advice is not going to be breastfeeding friendly.

The other way is to ask, "do you recommend that babies receive formula or water in the first two days of life?" If they do, they don't understand colostrum and the importance of it. You can ask when they recommend a supplement - what criteria do they use? How do they feel about frequency of feedings? They they recommend frequent feeding or a schedule? Frequent breastfeeding is very important - do they understand that concept?

Ask, what if I'm having problems - do you have a relationship with a lactation consultant in the community? Do they feel comfortable and open talking about these things?

Carrie: On page 25 your book says Doctors that recommend limiting your baby's feedings is not a breastfeeding ally. My first Pediatrician - I had one appointment with her, and that was it! She told me "we're not going to let you do it forever".. that one statement told me something. He was only a few weeks old and she was talking about stopping.. that was a red flag.  

Stacey: That baby is your baby and you are in charge of when is the right time for stopping breastfeeding. You're the mother. That is disturbing when a h.c.p. encroaches on that relationship.

Carrie: There is a trend with Pediatricians - giving advice that goes beyond medical advice. And speaking of confidence you mention formula marketing and how it can undermine a mother's ability to nurse. Most moms don't believe that.

Stacey: The formula companies begin (marketing) during pregnancy. It may be under the guise of supporting breastfeeding which is disturbing. Studies have shown that moms that are exposed to this - in that first week when they're not sure what they're doing is right - that formula causes all sorts of problems. It's that problem based view of breastfeeding. The formula companies are very effective with marketing their products. That has been shown to clearly affect breastfeeding outcomes.

Carrie: We have lots of information that what you're saying is true. Think about what they're in it for - to make money, a profit. They would not do anything they had not proven with millions of dollars of market research that didn't work. Mothers who breastfeed are more likely to buy the toddler formula. So they know exactly what they're doing, we need not be fooled!

Stacey: It's important that moms know their milk changes over time, that it is not necessary to give formula just because their baby is a certain age.