Thursday 31 May 2012

Benefits of Breastfeeding that I have discovered


I wrote a post a few weeks back about the benefits of Breastfeeding here. This time I am going to give you my own experience of the benefits, with a little humour along the way…

The biggest one for me was the increase in my boobage!!! I have always had little uns, but breastfeeding actually gives me more than a handful, so for all those flat chested mummies, breastfeeding is awesome!!
For me I have found that I have not had a period for about a year each time, so anything that keeps those horrid stomach cramps at bay is worth it in my book, although a little scary as it is always in the back of your mind, could I defy contraceptive methods for a second time and is that the reason for my weight gain ! (think my wonderful husband would have a fit!!)

You are advised to eat 500 extra calories per day whilst breastfeeding, so in my world that means a cream cake every now and again will help with those calories, and I do need the energy!!

Breastfeeding will also burn those calories, I have found that without too much exercise I have slimmed down pretty quickly and there have been interviews with some celebrities that say breastfeeding is the best diet they have ever been on.

Its completely FREE, when I see those tins of formula milk and the price, it makes me shudder, I cannot understand why I would need to spend all of that money, when I could be using it to buy pretty little outfits for madam or master Morrison.

No making bottles or sterilising, the thought of dragging myself out of bed at some disgusting time of night/early morning and having to make up a bottle doesn’t bear thinking about, I can picture it, the kettle would end up in the fridge, the bottle in the milk tin, yes I have been known to put items in strange places through sleep deprivation!! But to have my little one relying on me to do all this properly, when all I have to do is lift them from their moses basket or cot and just get my boob out, there really is no contest for me…


Not to mention, the scientific experiments that state breastfed babies have so much more going for them -  Better neurological development, Better jaw development, Straighter, healthier teeth, Protection against ear infections, Protection against colds, chest infections and sore throats, breastfeeding  Prolongs natural immunity to mumps, measles, polio and other diseases, Lessens chance of eczema and other allergies,  Lower risk of diabetes, Helps prevent obesity and Protection against gastro-enteritis and tummy upsets, all sounds pretty amazing doesn’t it and scary that you may be responsible for all of this in your child….


The Morrison Clan



These are just some fantastic benefits that I have found whilst breastfeeding my six wonderful children, if you have any others, please comment below.
If you have enjoyed reading, you will find more articles about breastfeeding at these locations.
Life, Love and Living with the boys


Edspire




The wonderful Breastvest have donated two vests for the main draw, take a look at their site, I love these and they are perfect whilst breastfeeding.
Thank you for reading. Please complete the following Rafflecopter to enter the competition for the Keep Britain Breastfeeding Grand Prize.




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Thursday 17 May 2012

Are You Mom Enough ? Er Yes Thankyou ...






There has been great discussion for the past week about the Time Magazine cover about extended Breast feeding, with everyone having their own opinion!


So i was very interested to hear that Daytime TV Programme This Morning was going to be discussing the topic. I am not a daytime TV watcher, so I set the Sky+ to record and settled down later to watch ....


Watching the interview, the first thing that saddened me was the fact that Sharon Spinx stopped feeding her other child at 5 months because he was starting to lose weight and she had no support, or anyone to turn to and immediately gave up breastfeeding and fed him formula...

However, this time she has a daughter aged 3.5 years and she is still breastfeeding her, as we all know, in our society everyone has an opinion!!


Sitting opposite her, Sonia Poulton, a journalist who thinks mothers like Sharon are selfish and exploiting their child for their own needs ! ? !

It was always going to be a split audience on such a difficult subject. What saddened me the most was that some people could be so venomous, calling mothers that breastfed over 12 months perverse and weird, what gives people the right to judge others like this!!
I could just as easily say that mothers that had decided for no reason other than "they don't want to" breastfeed, as completely selfish and a rubbish mother, but I would never dream of it....(that is not my opinion, just proving a point!)

As you all know I have breastfed all of my children past 12 months, and weaned them when THEY were ready, I do not consider myself in any way weird, and certainly not perverse!

My opinions on the Time Front Cover ? I think it was put there to provoke a response and get everyone talking about Time Magazine, which it has succeeded in doing, do i think it has helped breastfeeding in any way, shape or form ? NOT AT ALL....

As I promised when I began this blog, no pushy breastfeeder here, and I think the headline further damages the message of trying to encourage breastfeeding, in fact it is doing the opposite and making mums that do not breastfeed feel inadequate.

I cannot express enough the benefits of breastfeeding, but I know that there are some mums, for whatever reason cannot feed their babies, and I don't feel that we should make them feel any less of a Mum just because they have not breastfed.

I'm sure there must be comments out there .....





Thursday 10 May 2012

You Can Breastfeed Here !


This post is about places that are happy for you to Breastfeed at their premises, or not!
It will not be a big Name and Shame, more a celebration of good customer service, although if you have a problem with somewhere, maybe the readers would like to know!

If you have any successful stories or horror stories, please let me know at breast4babies@yahoo.co.uk and I shall add to the list.

I am pleased to say that, so far I have heard nothing but praise  in my local area for ...

Barclays Bank, Lowestoft Suffolk
TK Max Great Yarmouth will offer you a place to go and feed.
Royal Bank of Scotland, Great Yarmouth
Southwold Pier
Kwik-Fit Lowestoft
Beales, Lowestoft

And from other mummies countrywide ...

Costa Coffee, have nice comfortable sofas to feed!
Debenhams
StarBucks
Pizza Hut
John Lewis

One mum has reported that her local Dorothy Perkins was not at all helpful and she had to beg to use a changing room to feed her screaming baby!  Such a shame as I am sure many of their clients are mums with little babies.

and the star award so far goes to ...

Marks and Spencers in Manchester

One mummy reported that they were amazing, whilst she was BF her daughter, they bought her a coffee on the house.Its so nice to hear positive news, well done Marks and Spencers xxx



Tuesday 8 May 2012

Benefits of breastfeeding for mum and baby


For all those pregnant ladies out there, considering which way to feed your baby, there are many benefits to breastfeed, bith for you and your baby. I am not trying to force you to make breastfeeding your only choice, merely giving you the facts, it is entirely your choice how you feed your baby, although I think most people will agree there are some great positives for breastfeeding.

Benefits to Breastfed Babies.

~ Better neurological development.
~Better jaw development.
~Straighter, healthier teeth.
~Protection against ear infections
~Protection against colds, chest infections and sore throats
~Prolongs natural immunity to mumps, measles, polio and other diseases.
~Lessens chance of eczema and other allergies
~ Lower risk of diabetes
~Helps prevent obesity
~ Protection against gastro-enteritis and tummy upsets


Benefits to mums who breastfeed.
~ Reduces the risk of breast cancer
~Reduces the risk of ovarian cancer
~Lower risk of hip fractures and low bone density
~Helps mother get her figure back quicker - it naturally uses up about 500 extra calories a day.
~ It saves money - formula feeding can cost as much as £45 per month.

I always said that my blog would not force it down anyone's throats, so I shall leave you with the list and you can make up your own mind, if you have any questions or queries, I would be more than happy to answer them, just drop me an email at breast4babies@yahoo.co.uk and I will give you any advice that you need, unless it is how to get more sleep because I am still working on that one!!