A new poll by the National Childbirth Trust (NCT) reveals that 80% of breastfeeding mums feel proud to breastfeed, with more than half (55%) saying they feel ‘extremely proud’. During this year’s Breastfeeding Awareness Week (14-20 May), the NCT is encouraging more mothers to feel proud to breastfeed, whether they breastfeed for one day or one year, because every feed makes a positive difference for both baby and mum.

Research shows that:

• Just one feed helps to stabilize a baby’s blood sugars and protects the baby’s gut.
• One day of breastfeeding helps the mother’s womb to contract towards normal size.
• Breastfeeding can burn up to 450 calories a day for the mother, and breastfeeding hormones help the mother get back to sleep after night feeds.
• Breastfeeding a baby exclusively for six weeks halves the risk of a food allergy at three years old.
• Babies who are breastfed for three months are five times less likely get severe diarrhoea.
• Studies show babies breastfed for longer have higher average scores on intelligence tests and less risk of becoming overweight in later life.

The NCT’s survey shows that health benefits are the driving force behind a mother’s decision to breastfeed. An overwhelming majority of mums (93%) consider the health benefits of breastfeeding as one of the main factors in their decision and six in 10 mums state health benefits as the ‘most important’ reason to breastfeed. Other factors are:

• Convenience (13%).
• The feeling of closeness between mother and baby (12%).
• The fact that breastfeeding is free (10%)

Rosie Dodds, Policy Research Officer at the NCT said, “It is very encouraging that mums feel proud to breastfeed and are aware that breastfeeding makes a real difference to babies’ health. Any amount of breastfeeding is a reason to feel proud. It isn’t always easy at the beginning – it’s a skill that needs to be learnt, but the benefits for both mother and baby start right from the first feed. We want all women to have the right support from those around them so that they feel confident and able to continue for as long as they like.”

For this year’s Breastfeeding Awareness Week, the NCT has produced a new poster with the strapline - A Mother’s Pride. In addition, the NCT’s Reasons to be Proud fact sheet outlines the health benefits of breastfeeding from one day up to two years for mum and baby. For copies of the fact sheet or poster please call NCT Sales on 0870 112 1120 or visit www.nctsales.co.uk.

NCT breastfeeding counsellors are available to answer questions and provide support around baby feeding. For further information call the NCT Breastfeeding Line on 0870 444 8708 any day between 8am and 10pm.

The NCT’s new breastfeeding charity wristband has three breastfeeding helpline numbers printed on it to make sure mums can easily get breastfeeding support if they need it. The band, produced in partnership with Lansinoh, is also available from NCT Sales with proceeds going towards the training breastfeeding counsellors.

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