Sunday 23 June 2013

Keep Britain Breastfeeding 2013 - The Benefits of Breastfeeding.


My first post for Keep Britain Breastfeeding Scavenger Hunt 2013 is all about the Benefits, not just for baby for for Mummy too!

FOR BABY:
* Protection against ear infections, chest infections and wheezing.
* Lower risk of diabetes.
* Less allergic disease (eczema, asthma, wheezy)
* Protection against diarrhoea, gastro-enteritis and stomach upsets
* Better mental development.
* Better mouth formation and straighter teeth
* Less Obesity
* prolongs natural immunity to mumps, measles, polio and other diseases.

FOR MUM:
* Lower risk of ovarian cancer
* Lower risk of pre and post menopausal breast cancer
* Stronger bones in later life (osteoporosis)
* Lose the baby weight quicker.

NICE and the Healthy Child Programme recommends that parents need to be aware of some of the health risks of not breastfeeding.
Compared with a fully breastfed baby, a baby who is artificially fed is :
- Five times more likely to be hospitalised with vomiting and diarrhoea.
- Five times more likely to suffer from urine infections.
- Twice as likely to suffer from ear infections.
- Twice as likely to develop allergies especially where there is a family history.
- Twice as likely to develop insulin dependant diabetes (type 1)
- At increased risk of being obese, therefore more likely to develop type 2 diabetes and other illnesses later in life.
- If a baby is born prematurely, they are between 10 and 20 times more likely (depending on gestation) to develop a serious bowel disease.
- More likely to develop childhood cancers.
- More likely to develop heart disease in later life.

I think the research speaks for itself!

For more great Breastfeeding posts this week, why not head over and take a look at :
- Mum2BabyInsomniac
- Circus Queen
- Life, Love and Living with Boys
- The Brick Castle
- In The Playroom


And a huge thankyou to Debbie at Rayne Beau Boos who has provided Boobie Beanie and Matching Stuffed Boobie with £5 to spend at their store , for the Main Prize Draw and also a separate giveaway for a Boobie Beanie Hat with earflaps, details of which can be found here


a Rafflecopter giveaway

22 comments:

  1. I love the closeness that breastfeeding brings.

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  2. My favourite benefit is that I never had to get up and get out of bed on those cold Winter 3am mornings :)

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  3. it is health for you baby and it is free.

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  4. my fave is feeding first thing in the morning in bed, gives u excuse to stay in bed that bit longer :D

    anna m (intheplayroom)

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  5. All the health benefits

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  6. 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

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  7. You never have the dilemma of how much boob to pack, if you decide to go out for longer its not a problem because baby will be fed x

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  8. Nurturing my baby as nature intended...

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  9. It clear infections and rashes. It's relaxing and loving

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  10. I love that breastfeeding can soothe tears and calm tantrums.

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  11. It's so easy to soothe a grumpy baby, convenient and free!

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  12. The post is an interesting mix of "benefits" and risks of not feeding. I think it's better to phrase it the latter way round, so people remember that breastfeeding is the normal way to feed a baby whereas formula is a risk. More explanation here: http://www.whale.to/a/wiessinger.html

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  13. Its just how easy it is, I love that there is no preperation or cost its just there available and ready to go!

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  14. Free, health benefits and convenience

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  15. 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.

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  16. It makes you stop rushing around and have a sit down, enjoying quiet, close time with your little one

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  17. I love the fact that even when your baby is going through a difficult time, eg teething or growth spurts, you have the perfect way to comfort them.

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  18. skin to skin cuddles and milky smiles

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