Meet Katie who beautifully highlights the benefits for breastfeeding babies.

Breastfeeding.

One simple and natural word, yet a term that causes emotional and political divide.

MFL | Breastfeeding

As a Mum, who struggled to breastfeed my second child, I experienced first-hand the mental battle to continue, as well as the outside pressures to stop, despite my persistence to persevere. Fortunately, with the support and guidance of the Treliske Infant Feeding team in Cornwall (have a look), and the wonderful breastfeeding peer volunteers – I was successful in my journey and whole-heartedly enjoyed the breastfeeding relationship that I shared with my daughter.

After witnessing the incredible generosity of the volunteers, I decided to complete my training and work alongside them. I love supporting new Mums and Mums-to-be, helping to prepare them for breastfeeding. Since my involvement, it has quickly become clear that no clear education or understanding of breastfeeding is given to women on a national basis – even in biology lessons, and yet this is key to the improvement of breastfeeding rates in the UK.

Did you know – 

  • Breastfeeding reduces the risk of SIDS and the SIDS risk is actually halved if you breastfeed for at least two months
  • UNICEF found that for just five illnesses that breastfeeding prevents, moderate increases in breastfeeding would translate into a saving of £50 million – along with reduced hospital admissions and GP visits.
  • Reduces risk of viruses (COVID included seeing recent studies), UTIs, ear and respiratory infections
  • Breastfed babies are less likely to be obese when older and have a reduced risk of diabetes
  • For Mum, breastfeeding lowers your risk of breast cancer, and continues to get lower the longer you breastfeed. This is the same for ovarian cancer.
  • Significant mental health benefits for both Mum and baby – breastfeeding mothers report less stress and anxiety and breastfeeding, attachment parenting and responsive feeding is mentally beneficial for the child in later life
  • Breastfeeding is totally free
  • Breastfeeding is environmentally friendly and vastly important to our carbon footprint

What we are campaigning for, is to introduce breastfeeding on the National Curriculum, alongside the new RSE Framework. Here we can educate the youth on the importance of breasts, breastfeeding and why our bodies work the way they do when it comes to producing breastmilk. We can discuss the realities of feeding a baby and the various free support networks that exist to help all parents. We are looking to provide a positive background and knowledge base for young people, so that when the time comes, breastfeeding is not a completely unknown territory.

Katie Grasso

 

Products We Recommend For Breast Feeding:

Skin Solve Balm with Calendula

This ‘miracle in a jar’ solves so many skin problems naturally. A little of this versatile product goes a long way. Use this to help soothe many sensitive skin irritations. great for…

  • Eczema
  • Insect bites
  • Sun Burn
  • Rashes
  • Extreme dry skin
  • A great ally for breastfeeding mums too, to soothe and repair sore nipples, and for baby’s nappy rash. One to keep with you at all times.