Babies born in 2010 can thank Grandma for being Breastfed

New mums are twice as likely to breastfeed if they were breastfed as babies too.

* 56% of women who were breastfed when babies, breastfeed their own children.

* Only 24% of women who were bottle-fed go on to breastfeed their children.

* Using a baby carrier also makes a difference, 51% of them breastfeed.

* 20% of mums who don’t use a baby carrier breastfeed.

Being breastfed by your mum has a bigger influence on your breastfeeding choices than getting advice from a Health Professional or having friends around you breastfeeding their babies.

New research by Wilkinet Baby Carrier found 32% of mums breastfeed exclusively. A further 40% say they mix some breast in with bottle feeding. The rest use only the bottle.

The survey of 372 new mums, commissioned to support Breastfeeding Awareness Week, asked about a range of parenting choices.

Having a network of friends who breastfeed makes mums slightly more likely to do it too and so does the encouragement of a Health Professional but being a breastfed when they were babies has the biggest impact.

Another boost to successful breastfeeding is using a baby carrier. Just over half of mums who use a baby carrier are also breastfeeding exclusively. In contrast only 1 in 5 Mums not using a baby carrier do the same.

Sally Wilkins from Wilkinet Baby Carrier said “It’s nice to think my decision to breastfeed my 8 children make it more likely my grandbabies are breastfed. Breastfeeding is a gift to future generations.”

“Breastfeeding and baby carrying are all part of getting to know your baby. Baby carrying makes you more likely to tune into your baby and be aware of what their needs are. Babies can also fall asleep in a carrier after feeding and bring wind up naturally.”

At The Natural Nursery, we stock a range of breastfeeding products and baby carriers all designed to help new parents help their babies get the best start.