The Benefits of Breastfeeding
I'm a fan of breastfeeding. I won't judge anyone for not doing it, but I think it's a shame if you don't at least give it a try. I fed all 5 of mine for between 15 and 21 months, until it felt right to stop or they decided they weren't interested any more.
We all know now that it's indisputable that breastfeeding has positive physical benefits for baby and Mum. I don't need to tell you about the reduction in allergies (baby), stomach bugs (baby), Cancer (Mum), Ear Infections (baby) or Meningitis (baby). I don't have to harp on about the better bond between parent and child. I'm sure I don't even need to point out that breastfeeding for 12 months will save you around £600. I probably don't even need to point out that children who were breastfed as babies score higher on average in intelligence tests.
The difference I want to point out is that breastfeeding your child makes you calmer. It makes you relax. It forces you to sit on your backside for hours every day holding your child. You might read, watch pulp movies or dreadful soaps, you might blog or surf the internet, you could even take up playing games like I did (I got 2 Platinum trophies on the Playstation 3 whilst feeding no.4, the teenagers were incredibly proud). Whatever you are doing, you won't be racing about at breakneck speed or worrying too much about the dust on the shelves. Every 3 hours you are demanded to go and have a sit down for half an hour or more (often more!).
Life takes on a different pace. You relax into it. You will go to sleep much more quickly at night, and you will sleep better. You'll be less likely to snap at people or be grouchy. You'll worry less although you may think more. You'll have more time to chat and will be able to rekindle friendships and write that e-mail you've been meaning to write for the last 6 months
There's
a reason these statues have those expressions. Once you get over the
initial tricky learning period, and if you let it, breastfeeding brings
serenity.
The lovely people at Lactivist have a huge online resource on their blog at www.lactivist.net where you can find masses of information about breastfeeding and should be able to answer any questions you can think of. They also have a great range of breastfeeding friendly slogan t-shirts, badges, bags and all kinds of whatnots and I am able to offer you a discount code.
For the whole of Breastfeeding week enter Discount Code KBB13 when you place an order and get 10% off anything at www.lactivist.co.uk
They have also kindly donated a Keep Britain Breastfeeding T-shirt for me to give away to one of my readers in an infant's size of your choosing (subject to stock being available).
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Please take a look at all of my other Keep Britain Breastfeeding Competitions which are all listed on this page.
There are loads of great bloggers taking part in the Scavenger Hunt, including:
RedRoseMummy
Little Lilypad Co
In The Playroom
A Baby On Board
I like the slogan with the baby who has "i let my parents sleep in the big bed with me" lol
ReplyDeleteNice post! a point we might easily forget about, but it is very true, and definitely a benefit!
i like this slogan: I like mummy milk
ReplyDeleteMy fave is I'll wean when Im ready :)
ReplyDeleteMilk from my mummy not any old cow :) my sense of humour
ReplyDeleteI like: breast is best! and: food is fun before 1.
ReplyDeleteMummy Milk Rocks!!
ReplyDeleteI truly love all of them! The top i let my parents sleep in big bed with me made me laugh :) a fab way to promote breastfeeding :)
ReplyDeleteMy daughter had a not just any old cow T-shirt, I love the design, but you have to be careful to remember not to put it in the dryer, would be good if they could have the designs printed in such a way they didn't crack/flake when dried.
ReplyDeleteI like milk from mummy not any old cow.
ReplyDeleteWhen explaining to others why I love BF, the calmness is one of my biggest points. The added benefits of oxytocin release makes you even more relaxed :)
ReplyDeleteIt does :) I think it stays with you too....
DeleteI like milk from mummy not any old cow.
ReplyDeleteI love seeing how BF has been completely normal at most points through history.
ReplyDelete:D Absolutely!
DeleteOh, and my favourite slogan has always been the care instructions: "Handwash Only, Love Unconditionally, Breastfeed as Required"
ReplyDeleteI love the Care Instructions and the I Love Mummy Milk.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this post. I'm Breastfeeding and pregnant, and loving the chance to sit down and rest during the day while my toddler nurses.
You're welcome! Thank you for your comment, and enjoy the tranquility :)
DeleteMummy milk is magic, mummy milk is yummy milk
ReplyDeleteI love breastfeeding snuggles :)
this one is funny- milk from mummy not any old cow
ReplyDeleteI love the milk from my mummy one - I was gutted when my son grew out of it.
ReplyDeleteLove the care instructions and the still breastfeeding still none of your business.
ReplyDeleteBreastfeeding is The Food Of Love. totally true!
ReplyDeleteI have one for my little boy, that says I love mummy milk
ReplyDeleteMy two favourites are the care instructions and I like milk from my mum not just any old cow!
ReplyDeleteMummy milk rocks!
ReplyDeleteI like Mummy Milk Rocks
ReplyDeletemummy milk is definately best, particularly to a dairy intolerant baby
ReplyDeleteI like my milk from mummy not just any old cow!
ReplyDeleteMummy milk rocks!
ReplyDeleteMy fave is the 'not just any old cow' one. :-)
ReplyDeleteI love "I'll wean when I'm ready" and "I let my parents sleep in the big bed with me"
ReplyDelete"please excuse my nipple breath!" I need one with this on! i absoloutly love the pic of the statue!....if i could get a miniature one for my garden.....:-)
ReplyDelete:D It is a lovely statue, I was very pleased when I found that picture, I've been saving it for a while :)
Deletelove the not just any old cow one :)
ReplyDeleteI like the Care Instructions one :-)
ReplyDeleteI love the care instructions one but mummy milk rocks is also a favourite x
ReplyDeleteCare Instructions: Handwash only, Love unconditionally, Breastfeed as required
ReplyDeleteThe care instructions one is brilliant!
ReplyDeletemummys milk rocks as dd has one that says mummy rocks
ReplyDeleteI like the Mummy Milk Rocks slogan.
ReplyDeleteI love the Mummy Milk Rocks t-shirt. I also love the care instructions t-shirt which my lo can ocassionally be seen wearing!
ReplyDeleteMy favourite is 'Still breastfeeding, still none of your business'. Only on a mug at the moment, but I might commission a full set of t-shirts for me and my girls!!
ReplyDeletei like milk from my mum not just any old cow!
ReplyDeleteMummy milk rocks!
ReplyDeleteI let my parents sleep in the big bed with me is my favourite - so true!!
ReplyDeleteI like milk from mummy not any old cow!
ReplyDeleteMummy milk rocks is my favourite!
ReplyDelete"Lipsmackinthirstquenchinbabybondinimmunityboostin sweettastin mumchillinfreeflowinalwaysreadybreastmilk"
ReplyDeletelove it :-)
Ha sto be mummy milk
ReplyDeleteI love the care instructions one! :)
ReplyDeleteYOu know what I never thought about it but you are right I do relax when I'm breastfeeding, more in private though I still get tense when I try to do so in public, lol. Cute t-shirt
ReplyDeleteWell I shall have my fingers crossed that you can let yourself relax a bit more in public as your baby's head gets bigger and you get more confident! :D
DeleteMy fave - I love mummy milk
ReplyDeleteThe care instructions. They really so sweet and exactly how it should be
ReplyDeleteMummy milk rocks
ReplyDeleteMy favourite is the simple "I love mummy milk" - says it all without the risk of appearing "breastapo-ish"!
ReplyDeleteI like "Mummy Milk Rocks".
ReplyDeleteI love mummy milk
ReplyDeletestill breastfeeding, still none of your business
ReplyDeleteMummy milk is better than just milk from any old cow - I already have this t shirt!
ReplyDelete