Posts Tagged Under breastfeeding
Breast feed - Be a star
Since the advent of commercial formula, in 1912, breastfeeding began it’s slow decline and by the early 1970s over 75% of babies were fed on formula. It was around this time that the “knowledge gap” in breastfeeding truly began. Providing access to the experiences of others is where the www.beastar.org.uk campaign really triumphs, it bridges the 4 decade long knowledge gap and charges us with the responsibility of being the women that our future offspring can rely on for breastfeeding advice.
Posted in General, Real NappiesBy Leanne
Breast-Feeding After Surgery
After reading Leanne’s fantastic post about Milk donation, it got me thinking about my own experiences with breast-feeding and so thought I would follow it up by putting fingers to the keyboard…
During pregnancy I knew that I wanted to breast-feed my baby, but I also knew that having had breast-surgery five years previously, that I may find this more difficult than most. Read on…
Posted in General, Real NappiesBy Holly
Milk donation and the plight of Haitian babies.
Milk donation is something I feel very passionately about. After my gorgeous daughter was born she spent the first 24 hours of her life in neonatal intensive care for observations, while traumatic for any new mother to see her tiny baby in an incubator I soon learned that, compared to some mothers, I had it easy. I spent the vast majority of those 24 hours in NICU with my baby and couldn’t help looking around at the other incubators in which lay some of the tiniest babies I have ever seen. It was heartbreaking to behold and I feel a great deal of compassion and respect for the mothers of premature and poorly babies. Read on….
Posted in General, Real NappiesBy Leanne
La Leche Leagues Response to GMTV Survey
Letter to GMTV re Breastfeeding Survey from Anna Burbidge Chair, Council of Directors, La Leche League GB
If you haven’t seen it already, you can take a look the survey here: http://www.gmtvsurveys.com/se.ashx?s=7C7FC32D3C863642
Having already completed the survey and left my opinions of it at the end, I was very pleased to read the GB LLL’s formal response. Read on…
Posted in Real NappiesBy Laura
New Breastfeeding Cafe in Leicester
Each Wednesday morning from 10-12 women are able to get help and support from other mums, along with trained experts, at the Leicester based venue organised by the La Leche League.
The aim of the venture is to encourage more women to breastfeeding their babies, and to do so for as long as possible.
Posted in GeneralBy Laura
Breastfeeding Improves Lung Function
Researchers from the University of Southampton and the College of Veterinary Medicine in Michigan State University have found that the physical effort of sucking milk during nursing may leave babies with stronger lungs as they grow up.
In a 10 year study of 1,456 babies they found that children who had been breastfed for at least 4 months had stronger lung function in later childhood. A third of the children were breastfed for at least 4 months, and on average, these children could blow out more air after taking a deep breath, and could blo it out faster.
This was the case regardless of whether their mother was asthmatic or suffered from allegies.
Yet one more reason to breastfeed!
Posted in GeneralBy Laura
”Breastfeeding is Cool!”
”Breastfeeding is Cool!” Says Atomic Kitten Star, Jenni Frost
Atomic Kitten Star and celebrity mum, Jenni Frost, has been showing her support for breastfeeding by fronting the initiative Breast Buddy. As part of her tour of the UK, she has been in Leicester encouraging more young mothers to breastfeed. She spoke to mums and mums-to-be at Beaumont Leys and Stocking Farm Childrens Centre about her breastfeeding experiences, and to inform them that breastfeeding is ‘not just something that Old Maids do!’
‘Breastfeeding is Cool’ says Jenni- and of course she is right!
Mums to be can register for the Breast Buddy initiative by texting BUDDY to 60022, and you will recieve an information pack which includes the NHS breastfeeding guide, and information about the Breastfeeding Helpline (0844 209 0920). You will also receive messages of encouragement to help you through the first few months, and have a dedicated Breastfeeding Buddy! 
Posted in General
By Laura
Channel 4’s G-Spot Series- Other Peoples Breastmilk
Other Peoples Breastmilk
Next Tuesday see’s the airing of the latest edition of the G-Spot series on Channel 4, and one that tackles the highly emotive issue of breastfeeding. Kate Garraway visits communites in which breastfeeding other peoples infants is completely normal, and examines the root issues of why such practices are so controversial in our society.
Kate says of breastfeeding:
”It’s the most natural thing in the world, but it can still generate such a strong reaction from people. It’s still seen as something that’s dirty. Yet in other cultures, women can breastfeed each other’s babies, for example, and nobody bats an eyelid.”
We are really excited to watch the show, and are interested in the public reactions to it. Particularly when the mothers raise the fact that most people have no issue drinking the milk of a cow, but are squemish at the thought of drinking another humans milk- which is of course a very topsy-turvy way of thinking!
”Many people might think it is weird, but they argue it is much weirder to drink cow’s milk, which is, after all, from the breast of another species, than it is to drink it from a woman. I’m not saying that I would have been able to have my daughter fed by someone else if I’d been unable to breastfeed, but it certainly makes a degree of sense.”
Be sure to mark it in your diary- Tuesday 9th September, 10pm Channel 4
Do pop back and share your thoughts on the show!
Posted in GeneralBy Laura
Breastfeeding Releases ‘Trust’ Hormone
Scientists report that when a baby breastfeeds, a ‘trust’ hormone is released in the mother. Oxytocin has long been known to cause milk to be let down from the mammory glands, however scientists at Warwick University have now become aware that it is also involved in the enhancement of trust and love in both human, and non-human animals.
Breastfeeding triggers a surge of Oxytocin to be released, and large regular pulses of the hormone are needed to create the wave released when a mother breastfeeds, strengthening the bond between mother and child.
Yet further proof that breastfeeding promotes the maternal bond via biochemical processes.
Posted in GeneralBy Laura
New Pro-Breastfeeding T-shirts In Stock
Organic, Pro-Breastfeeding T-shirts for Your Baby!
To celebrate the clarification of the laws surrounding public breastfeeding in the UK we have added to the store some fabulously funky pro-breastfeeding gear for your little ones!
Made from Super Soft 100% Organic Cotton from the ‘Lactivist’ we have:
‘I Love Mummy Milk’ Long-Sleeved T-shirt, in Sizes 3-6, 6-12 and 12-18 Months. £14.99
‘I Like Milk from My Mum, Not Just from any Old Cow’ Organic Long-Sleeved t-shirt in sizes 3-6 and 6-12 Months. £14.99
Posted in General
By Laura
