keepbritainbreastfeedinglogo2013

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.

The Brick Castle

Red Rose Mummy

Tigerlilly Quinn

Oh So Amelia

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!

a Rafflecopter giveaway