Today marks the start of the annual Keep Britain Breastfeeding Scavenger Hunt. Many of us within the blogging community and many companies who support breastfeeding have got together to participate in a week long Scavenger Hunt event, to share our thoughts and experiences and just have a focus on Breastfeeding throughout the week. This has been organised by Karen from the Boobiemilk blog.
I am still breastfeeding my youngest at 22 months, although I had much more difficulties with my previous children so I know from experience both how well and how badly breastfeeding can go! Breastfeeding support is always an important issue.
We have all heard the “Breast is Best” slogan – but we might not always be able to remember all of the facts and figures behind this motto. In time for Keep Britain Breastfeeding week 2013, I have gathered together some of these reasons and will also be sharing some of the other personal benefits I found.
The WHO guidelines are
WHO strongly recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life. At six months, other foods should complement breastfeeding for up to two years or more. In addition: breastfeeding should begin within an hour of birth; breastfeeding should be “on demand”, as often as the child wants day and night; and bottles or pacifiers should be avoided.
- Breast-milk contains antibodies so helps protect the baby from illness
- Infants who are breast-fed longer have fewer dental cavities throughout their lives.
- Children who were breast-fed are significantly less likely to become obese later in childhood. Formula feeding is linked to about a 20 to 30 percent greater likelihood that the child will become obese.
- Breastfeeding reduces risks of breast and ovarian cancer for the Mother in later in life
- Reduces the risk of diabetes for the child
Personally, I also find the convenience a massive benefit. As mentioned, I did not breastfeed my 1st two babies for very long (I will explain all about that in my Breastfeeding Journey post on Friday) and I used to have to cart around so many things, formula powder in containers, bottles, water.. and then there is the sterilising as well. Breastfeeding gives you more freedom to just grab the baby and go without having to think about packing so many supplies, or being weighed down by all those supplies. Cost is a big thing too. Formula has increased in price even more since I had my 1st and now it seems to be 10 pounds a tub, which I found lasts about a week. That’s not really cheap. Bonding of course is another benefit. Feeding your baby to sleep is lovely, and one of the most special moments you can have with your baby.
Here’s some more info from the NHS and the World Health Organisation
To find out more about the Keep Britain Breastfeeding Scavenger Hunt, have a look on their Facebook page (and like them so you keep up to date with what’s happening!) There are masses of prizes to be won, loads of special offers, and so many blogs involved, so it is a very exciting event to be involved in!
As a part of the Scavenger Hunt, every day that we post we will each be linking to 5 more bloggers and one Breastfeeding friendly company, to help discover new blogs and companies to support. So today I am linking to the following blogs by some lovely people who will be joining in this week.
And I would also like to link to BreastVest a lovely company who we are working with for a giveaway this week and whos products I have tested in the past. BreastVest Giveaway is here!
Here is today’s Rafflecopter!
Anna Marikar, mum of four and seasoned blogger, has spent over a decade sharing her parenting journey and passion for kid-friendly crafts and free printables.
Her easy-to-follow craft ideas and practical parenting advice have transformed In The Playroom into a cherished resource for parents.
Bring your child closer to you.
I do not have a favourite breastfeeding benefit because breastfeeding is the norm. It is the default way to feed a child, therefore does not have benefits. It’s the other way round; formula has risks and negatives and downsides. Breastfeeding is just normal. This article explains more: http://www.motherchronicle.com/watchyourlanguage
I love the WHO guidelines. I used to quote them if anyone made a comment about me feeding.
Breastfeeding is just a magical moment only a mother can share. I love all the benefits.
It is free! And quick, just doing a night feed now. No faffing with getting bottles ready, just pick him up, stick him on, dream feeds and I am back asleep 30 minutes later.
I love that neither my daughter nor I don’t have the same risks of getting breast or ovarian cancers as formula feeders.
I love the bonding it gives us
My favourite benefit is the convenience. No sterilising, carting around bottles, formula etc etc
Favourite Breastfeeding Benefit: I do not have to worry about sterilising, buying formula and we can just get up, pack a few nappies and go. Not to mention the health benefits for both Bubba and me
I also love all the benefits and being close to my daughter, knowing that not only does she need me she wants me.
Breastfeeding means I can just leave house without any fuss always have changing bag in car and don’t have to worry.
I loved the closeness and the bond breast feeding gave me. My journey is sadly over, but it is time I treasure!
Its free!
The amazing milk drunk smile they give you when they catch you watching them.
It gives me freedom to be impulsive. I love feeling her little hands squeeze my side when she is feeding or stroking my breast.
I love that I can go anywhere in an instant with my baby in his sling with nothing more than a nappy/wipe in my pocket. Also that I can induce baby to map with me when I’m feeling tired 🙂
Spud and Sprout are 2.5yrs and full of energy. They are constantly on the go so breastfeeding has given us a time to relax, cuddle and have precious one to one time as well as manic tandem gymnurstic sessions.
I agree that the convenience is a big plus point of breast feeding.
Quality time with little one x
Easy and convenient! 😉
My favourite benefit is increased immunity for my baby
Its free, I am on a tight budget so it really helped!
It’s always available and so good for me and my son
I think for me the biggest benefit is the money we’ve saved and can spend on other things, we’ve had big period of unemployment and being able to feed the baby and not worry about whether we can afford to has been very reassuring
How content my little one is after a feed,and how i can comfort her; mummys secret weapon! 😉
A contented happy baby, also how i can comfort her; mummys secret weapon! 😉
I love the ease of lying in bed with my little one (2 months) and just feeding her and falling asleep together. Lovely 🙂
Quiet time, cuddles. Cancer prevention. It’s free. It’s tailor made.
It’s beautiful! It’s how it should be x
For me its that closeness and knowing that I am everything my baby needs.
I love the closeness that breastfeeding brings.
Nurturing my baby as nature intended…
I love the fact that Breastfeeding is the one thing in the world that nobody else can do for my baby but me!! It’s so special knowing that only I can provide breast milk for my baby. I find the whole experience so amazing – it blows my mind sometimes 🙂
its free 🙂
It’s free, quick and so easy to soothe your baby
I’m totally disorganised so my favourite benefit is that I don’t have to remember it! I don’t have to remember to buy it at the supermarket, I don’t have to remember to pack it when we go out for the day and I don’t have to remember how to serve or prepare it. It’s natures best fast food for babies!
At 17 months we have thrush for the first time though. It’s a killer but there’s no way I’m stopping yet.
I’m expecting baby number 1 at the moment and I think the greatest benefit of breastfeeding is the daily bonding and skin-to-skin with your baby xx
I suffer from a lot of allergies along with asthma and eczema, so I love the fact that by breastfeeding my little girl I can hopefully protect her from suffering the same.
Not having to worry about how much milk to pack on a day out x
i love knowing that i’m giving my child the best start in life i can give them
The health benefits for your baby and you x
I love the health benefits of breastfeeding to me and my baby, its the best start to my daughters life 🙂
I love everything about breastfeeding but the biggest benefit is knowing that I am feeding and nourishing my child the way nature intended.
bonding
I think the convenience is the best thing about breastfeeding. You can go anywhere with your baby and you have fresh food available to them without having to do anything!
Being able to Wap out my Bap and put a Lip on my Nip anywhere i please! and the bond and the health benefits !! 😉
No bottles! I loved it when there was no sterilising and washing up!
Knowing that I am the only one that able to keep my baby fully content (not in a mean way) lol
Lotte xo
No steriliser!
I love the close, quiet time with my baby boy. And it is free!
How strong and healthy my daughters are because of it.
Boobie milk is always available!
Breastfeeding is one of the most natural and beneficial acts a mother can do for her child. Dramatic health benefits have been proven to pass from mother to child through breastmilk
All the extra snacking I could do. I love cake!
Its free, its good for me and my babies and I just adore the snuggles!
Breast milk is packed with disease-fighting substances that protect my baby from illness. @anna8301
there are so many great benefits, I love the convieniance when your exhausted there is no getting up in the night to make and warm bottles, no sterilizing. and the amazing health benefits to mum and child of course
i love the bond you get with baby and the fact its cheaper and easier than sterilising everything 🙂 @chanson2010
health benefits
it gives the baby a fantastic start and gives you time to bond
Breastfeeding protects your baby from a long list of illnesses