My breastfeeding
journey began the year I married my husband, 2002. We moved to Glasgow for 12 months while I
completed my Masters degree in Nutrition at the University of Glasgow. I can’t say that breastfeeding was even on my
radar at that point. I had no children,
didn’t remember ever seeing anyone breastfeeding and I was barely breastfed
myself so it wasn’t regular conversation in the Blackburn house.
I was introduced to
breastfeeding during my time at the University of Glasgow by the wonderful Dr
Jane Scott. It just sounded so logical,
there are so many benefits and I just wondered why anyone would want to do
anything else after knowing about it. I
wrote my thesis on the effects of pain relief during childbirth on
breastfeeding success. It was quite eye
opening.
I continued to learn
about nutrition and breastfeeding when we moved back to the States and I was
very lucky when I was hired as a Nutritionist with the WIC Program (Women,
Infants and Children’s Supplemental Nutrition Program). The WIC Program marries my two passions for
nutrition and breastfeeding and I spent 6 fabulous years working with an
amazing team of women to promote and support families to breastfeed and live
healthier lives.
It was during this
time that my husband and I became pregnant with our first child. Working alongside women who considered breastfeeding
as the usual way to feed a baby and that 2 years and beyond was perfectly
normal meant that I never questioned my ability to breastfed and gave me an
amazing wealth of knowledge and experience to draw from.
I wouldn’t say that
our first breastfeeding journey got off to the best start. It’s definitely something that I learnt from
and second time went like clockwork. My friends,
colleagues and family supported me throughout our journey and William chose to
stop nursing at 2 months shy of 4 years old.
This post is part of
the Keep Britain Breastfeeding Scavenger Hunt 2015. This year we are focusing on being
#PositiveAboutBF and I invite you to start the conversation if you are pregnant
or breastfeeding. Learn about the many
reasons there are to breastfeed for you, your baby and the planet and find out
where to find your local support before you have your baby.
There are many posts
to read all week long during World Breastfeeding Week 2015 and lots of
competitions to enter for some fabulous prizes.
If you’d like to be in with a chance at winning over £700 worth of
fabulous goodies from lots of breastfeeding friendly companies then please
enter the rafflecopter below. You’ll
need to read at least 10 posts and enter all of the attached rafflecopters to
be entered into the draw but that won’t be hard when we have so many amazing
bloggers writing some amazing posts this year.
Wherever you see the
Keep Britain Breastfeeding 2015 logo you will have the opportunity to enter so
keep a lookout!
We are highlighting
a couple of amazing organisations throughout the week because of the amazing
work they are doing in the World of breastfeeding.
“The
Breastfeeding Network’s Drugs in Breastmilk helpline provides support and
information to thousands of families and health professionals every year. Our
highly experienced and trained pharmacist offers breastfeeding support
alongside evidence based information to anyone who is concerned about the
effects of medication or treatments while breastfeeding. We have a dedicated
helpline number and email address, as well as a range of information sheets on
a wide variety of topics.
Currently the Drugs in Breastmilk
helpline service receives no external funding and last year our
#savedrugsinbreastmilkhelpline campaign was a huge success with hundreds of
mums and health professionals proclaiming their love for our unique support
service, and generously donating to help save this vital resource, which was at
risk of closure due to lack of funds.As a result of this, we’re very excited to launch our brand new ‘Friends of Drugs in Breastmilk Helpline’ scheme”.
If you or your business would like to become a friend of the Breastfeeding Network Drugs in Breastmilk Helpline by donating to this amazing service then visit the website for more information HERE.
Here are some links to other bloggers and companies taking part in the Scavenger Hunt so that you keep hunting –
Laura from Life with Baby Kicks, is busy blogging about all aspects of
parenting life of 2 boys under 3 from breastfeeding to toddler taming all
whilst living the expat lifestyle in Dubai.
Ali,
an extended breastfeeder who is the owner and writer of the parenting and
lifestyle blog “Mum in a
Nutshell” for stylish mamas, whilst also writing for The Mumington Post and Chic Magazine.
Jen
from My Mummy's
Pennies blogs about life as a penny pinching working Mum of two, from
breastfeeding and cloth nappies to family days out and thrifty tips.
Princesspoet's Blog
is a captures all the adventures that Lucy has with her husband and 2 little
boys. We discuss everything from the exciting to the mundane. Breastfeeding,
Parenting, Home Education , Marriage & Cooking.
Zoe
from Lycrawidow
is Baby-wearing, breastfeeding mama. French speaker and daydreamer. Hopeless
romantic. Loving, supportive Military wife. Brain tumour survivor (so far).
Swiftly approaching 30. Usually found at (road)bike races or drinking
tea.
Naked Website created the KBBF logos
Milk & Mummy have donated a £50
gift voucher for the Grand Prize
Snoob have promised a fabulous breastfeeding
scarf to the winner
