The health benefits of not smoking and limiting alcohol consumption are well known. However, fewer people are aware that a healthy and active lifestyle reduces the risk of cancer by almost a third, and this way of life has an influence from birth. In order to raise awareness among as many people as possible, we have partnered with Pink Ribbon Belgium, the national non-profit organisation that fights against breast cancer.
We sometimes talk about a life before and a life after children. Suddenly, you are responsible for a "mini-you". Going out spontaneously for an evening is more challenging, as from now on, you have to plan everything. What if you want to relax? Does a baby also limit your freedom of movement as much? Fortunately, the reality is not so easy. Yes, from now on you are responsible for that little person, and yes, you will have to adapt your lifestyle. But to be chained to the house? Not at all! The traditional image of the mother staying at home is long gone. Also whereas before you had to take out a rather large heavy pushchair, today there are much more practical models that you can simply fold and take with you. Of course, a walk in the woods or a hike can be a little more complicated, but this is where baby carriers come in!
Walking to keep fit and fight (breast) cancer.
The benefits of walking with your little one in a baby carrier are endless. You can get some fresh air easily together, you don't have to worry about the terrain, you have both hands free and your child is well snuggled, close enough to kiss. Whether he wants to sleep or look around, anything is possible. But did you know that walking has many other benefits for your health? Walking also helps prevent (breast) cancer. Dozens of studies show that 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity exercise, such as 2.5 hours of walking, have favourable effects on breast cancer prevention and survival for people who suffer from it. So walking is not only good for your fitness and immunity, it also helps you fight (breast) cancer.[1]
We have been encouraging parents, caregivers and grandparents to adopt an active and ergonomic lifestyle for some time now. Our baby carriers are not only recognised by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute (IHDI) as ergonomic and healthy for the baby's hips, but the AGR seal of the Aktion Gesunder Rücken e.V. (Campaign for Healthier Backs) can also be found on all of our baby carriers. The promotion of an active and healthy lifestyle has therefore long been at the heart of our philosophy.
"At Ergobaby, families are at the center of attention. We always strive to develop high quality baby products with no compromise on function, comfort and quality. We always pay particular attention to ergonomics, both for the wearer and for the child." That's according to Sabine Sacher, EMEA Marketing Director at Ergobaby. "Supporting Pink Ribbon was therefore a no-brainer for us. Everyone knows someone who suffers from breast cancer. Yet young women in particular are not sufficiently aware of the fact that they too can develop breast cancer and are often unaware of the importance of a healthy and active lifestyle," Sabine continues. "Our baby carriers are designed to meet the needs of all parents and also adapt to all lifestyles’’.
In addition, carrying indirectly contributes to the reduction of the risk of developing breast cancer by facilitating breastfeeding. Indeed, carrying, by proximity and the well-being it provides, allows the release of oxytocin, a hormone essential to the success of breastfeeding. Breast milk, on the other hand, provides babies with important vitamins and nutrients, but also antibodies, which is important for building your little one's immune system. It also offers additional protection against breast cancer. This is likely due to two reasons: after puberty, the breasts are not quite developed and the glandular tissue of the breast that produces milk only fully specializes during and after pregnancy. These specialized cells are less likely to turn into cancer cells. [2]
And did you know that you can easily breastfeed your child without having to remove your little one from the baby carrier? You can lead an active lifestyle while reducing your risk of getting breast cancer with Ergobaby.
Together against breast cancer
Not only do we encourage you to adopt an active lifestyle but we also put our money where our mouth is. In order to set a good example, we have registered for the sixth edition of La Marche Rose organised by Pink Ribbon Belgium.
📷 @pinkribbonbe on instagram
If you also want to contribute at your own level to the fight against breast cancer, you will find more information right here.
[1] https://pink-ribbon.be/fr/sur-le-cancer-du-sein/marcher-abaisse-le-risque-de-cancer-du-sein-et-de-rechute
[2] https://www.borstvoeding.com/aanverwant/varia/borstkanker/