National Breastfeeding Awareness Week 2011

This week is a very important week not only is it Child Safety Week 2011 but it is also National Breastfeeding Awareness Week 2011.

Breastfeeding has many myths surrounding it that may put new mothers off like it makes your boobs saggy, you can't breastfeed in puplic and that it can affect your sex life. But the truth is that none of the above is true. Breastfeeding is the healthiest way to feed your baby. It is recommended that all mothers breastfeed exclusively for around the first six months (26 weeks) of their baby's life. After that, giving your baby breast milk alongside other food will help them continue to grow and develop.

On the NHS website the benefits that they have outlined for the babies are that breastfed babies have:

• less chance of diarrhoea and vomiting and having to go to hospital as a result
• fewer chest and ear infections and having to go to hospital as a result
• less chance of being constipated
• less likelihood of becoming obese and therefore developing type 2 diabetes and other illnesses later in life
• less chance of developing eczema

Breatsfeeding is not only good for the baby it has a lot of benefits for mum too. It helps to:

• lowers your risk of getting breast and ovarian cancer
• naturally uses up to 500 calories a day
• saves money – infant formula, the sterilising equipment and feeding equipment can be costly
• can help to build a strong bond between you and your baby

Breastfeeding can help mothers to lose the baby fat quicker and is fantastic for both mother and babies overall health. It is however like every other new skill and can take practice to get it right for you and your baby. Many mothers will experience discomfort and engorged breasts but there are products available to help with this. Don't worry, it will become more comfortable the better you and your baby get.

Although breastfeeding is the most natural way to feed your baby there are circumstances where it is not possible. Breastfeeding is not for everyone and you should not feel guilty if you are unable to breastfeed for whatever reason, parenting is hard and if you try your best that is all that can be expected of you.

Whatever you choose to do there is support available. What are your experiences of breastfeeding?