Keep Britain Breastfeeding: Sharing Stories

During a conversation between me and a friend this week, her daughter interrupted us to tell say " I had milk until I was 7, I'm 8 now '. She then went back to playing. A simple statement, with no fuss, debate or mockery attached to it. If only all adults could see things as clearly. For a lot of children and adults, breastfeeding is not seen as the ' norm ' and it is certainly provokes a lot of debate amongst the media in general. With images of bottles, dummies, prams etc featured in children's books and TV you can understand why openly breastfeeding raises so many eyebrows. For me and my daughter, breastfeeding is the most natural thing in the world for us, it is right for both us. That is not to say that I think all women should breastfeed or that I frown upon women who use formula ( although I don't have very nice things to say about formula companies). I would like to see breastfeeding as a normal part of everyday life for a lot of people so that seeing a picture of a women breastfeeding does not constantly open debate or raise blood pressure. I want my daughter to read books that depict images that relate to her experiences of growing up and feeding, for her to see mums on TV breastfeeding and for her to come to the same conclusion that,simply, some people have a bottle and some don't. One of the reasons that I became an ambassador for Barefoot Books is that they promote cultural and social diversity and have a range of books that focus on the natural child. Images of baby wearing, a focus on male parenting and breastfeeding are apparent in a lot of our books and I just love how so many embrace these books. Here is a selection of some of the best breastfeeding and baby wearing books that we have read

Welcome to the World

Welcome new babies to the wonderful world with this collection of photographs and poems from many cultures. This unique anthology celebrates the feelings of hope, wonder, surprise, delight and fascination at each new generation of children.

We Like to Nurse

Brilliantly illustrated, this book celebrates the wonder of breastfeeding in humans and animals. A lovely book for young children and mothers.

Just Like You Did

When a new baby comes in to the house a little boy is rather upset. He feels that he is getting no attention, the baby takes up everyone's time and he is feeling very sorry for himself. When his parents notice he's upset they reassure him that once upon a time he too was a little baby, and needed lots of attention, and one day the baby will be a boy like him. An important lesson gently told for any child facing the problem of not being the only one any more. With loving family images and breastfeeding a natural part of their family life, this book is great to snuggle down with the whole family.

Catch that Goat

Chase after a mischievous goat! Ayoka has been left in charge of the family goat — but within minutes the goat has vanished. This Nigerian market tale helps youngsters count from ten to one and uses humour to impart a simple message about responsibility. Includes end notes about life in Nigeria and Yoruba traditions, with fabulous images of African life, including baby wearing.

Mama Panya's Pancakes

Glimpse into a Kenyan village with the story of Mama Panya and Adika’s market day and learn an important lesson about community and the rewards of sharing. Includes a helpful map, facts about Kenya, Kiswahili greetings, and even an easy-to-make pancake recipe. Again, this a beautifully illustrated books, without the stereotypical  images of babies with bibs and bottles!

If you would like to read other breastfeeding stories, take a look at these great bloggers taking part in the scavenger hunt

Twinkle Mummy

In the Playroom

Diary of A First Child

 Me, The Man &The Baby

Natural Mamas

To be in with a chance of winning these lovely books  or the many other goodies that make up the KBBF grand prize, including 5 pairs of washable breast pads from I Sew Green, simply enter via the rafflecopter below

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Keep Britain Breastfeeding : When we are both ready

With one thing or another, the subject of breastfeeding has been popping up in various sections of the media of late. Whether it is so called ' debates ' on twitter or new research written up in newspapers, there is always somebody with something to say about breastfeeding; good and bad. There are a lot of people that simply acknowledge that some women breastfeed and some women don't, for whatever reasons that are personal to them. It is frustrating, however, that some mums have to defend themselves as to why they do not breastfeed and equally for breastfeeding mums to be made out to be ' militant ' or judgemental simply because formula was never an option for them. For me, the fact that breastfeeding is being talked about is a good thing. I do not believe that breastfeeding is for everybody but there is definitely work that can be done on educating those who may be considering breastfeeding

Breastfeeding was something that I honestly did not think twice about, I always thought it was the most natural option. The thought of giving my baby processed food that sits on supermarket shelves for months is something that I could not consider unless I absolutely had to. I realise that I am very lucky in having a smooth breastfeeding journey, with few problems 20 months down the line. Yes, 20 months. I have had little experience of judgemental looks or embarrassed faces when feeding in public but I have noticed a few raised eyebrows when I tell people that I am still feeding my daughter. I am a very confident person and close friends and family know not to challenge me too much, but I am aware that they probably think I am a bit crazy for still breastfeeding. I have had the odd "ooh she's too dependent on you " or "she's so clingy " but I just shrug them off as quite frankly the only people that matter are me, my husband and my daughter. Obviously Sofia is still loving the boobies and is showing no signs of stopping soon. There are days when she just feeds in the morning and a night and others when she seems to want me all of the time . My husband worries about her dependence on me, particularly at night time when she is difficult to soothe when I am not around. There are times when she is very clingy and others that she is very independent, which I am sure is the case with the majority of babies. I honestly did not think that I would still be breastfeeding, it is just how things have worked out, a natural progression. There are probably small things that I could do to change things but ultimately Sofia is in command. There are days when I get frustrated with the demands if feeding, especially the fussy nights, but there are so many other days when I just think, this is lovely. We have a happy, confident, intelligent littke girl so we must be doing something right! Sometimes I feel scared that I don't want to rock the boat by hurrying along the weaning; breastfeeding makes life so much easier sometimes. A struggle to go asleep, a cry after a fall, hunger pangs when there is no quick food source, the need for comfort; are all soothed so quickly.  So, between the three of us we have our ups and downs but ultimately we are happy and much like the decision to breastfeed was natural I am hoping our breastfeeding journey will come to a natural end. 

To read more breastfeeding stories, take a look at my fellow KBBF bloggers

The Kermit Movement

Hex Mum

Smiling Like Sunshine

Sorry About The Mess

Where Roots Flourish

Did you know that KBBF have some fantastic prizes to be won ? Enter the competition via  rafflecopter below and you could win lots of goodies, including a years subscription to JUNO

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Lazing on a sunny afternoon

I know the sun has had to put his hat away for a few days but we are all optimistic that it will have it back on again very soon! Here at Little Scribbles, we love lazy afternoons in the sunshine; reading books and playing sports day games on the grass. We like to make sure that we are safe in the sun so always have a bottle of  The Green People or Clarins high factor suncream at hand and a wide variety ( probably too many!) sun hats at the ready. Summer shouts out for fun and colourful clothes, which I just love. Some people will say that fashion does not matter, especially when it comes to children but I believe that what you wear and how you accessorise is simply an extension of your personality. I know that my personality suits a certain range of clothes and I do feel a bit lost when I wear something out of character. My daughter is the same, some things suit her more than others and she is already favouring certain outfits! You don't need to be ' on trend ' and dress your children in brand new clothes each season, wear what is comfortable, what suits and you and your family want to wear. Fashion does not mean that you have to buy expensive clothes; you can buy some great quality clothing without splashing out on designer gear. I have picked out a few of my favourite summer finds, some a little more expensive but definitely durable. My pick out of those highlighted has to be the Tootsa Maginty vest. All of Tootsa's clothes are unisex and do not confirm to the usual pinks and blues that are thrown in our faces from the minute of conception. Funky, Fresh and Fun; that's how I want my summer!


Girls straw hat H and M
Unisex vest by Tootsa Maginty
Unisex sports shorts by Boys and Girls from KyNa Boutique
Bird swim shorts Cissy wears
Striped Tunic from Kin by John Lewis
Zebra surf suit Nordic Kids
Baby aviators Not on the High Street
Stripe sneakers Mini Rodini

My Barefoot Book of the Month :June

As regular readers know, I am an ambassador for Barefoot Books . Barefoot have lots of amazing books for children and I will be highlighting one as book of the month, that I think you and your little ones would love. For June, I have chosen a book for our independent readers: Orpheus and Eurydice. This book is one of 3 new additions to our popular Greek series and is a story about love in the midst of despair; something we can all use a bit of at the moment

When Orpheus' bride Eurydice is killed by a snakebite on their wedding day, Orpheus's world is shattered. The young widower must journey to the underworld to negotiate with Hades himself to win his bride back. Can he triumph over the dark power of the underworld ?

This book is for children aged 8+ but I am sure mums and dads will love this too!

To step inside the book, take a look at our interview with illustrator Carole Henaff

Like the look of this ? Take a further look at Barefoot Books and get 20% off your first order using the code TWENTY13 at checkout.