Fit to Bust - a unique celebration of breastfeeding and motherhood to raise funds for Baby Milk Action. ISBN 978-1-906206-89-5 RRP £9.99

"What do you get when you combine musical talent with lactation? Fit to Bust ~ a gloriously joyful celebration of the breastfeeding life. This is truly a unique contribution to lactation literature, which will be enjoyed by the whole family."
Veronika Robinson, Editor, The Mother magazine http://www.themothermagazine.co.uk/

Artwork by Belinda Evans bagardevans @ hotmail.co.uk

This book, published in June 2008, is a celebration of breastfeeding, motherhood and related topics. It contains my own compositions of songs and verse, and other material including cartoons, stories, quotations and information on feeding in the human and the animal world.  

Profits from the sale of this book will be given to Baby Milk Action to help its vital work of protecting breastfeeding, and protecting babies fed on formula, by ending the irresponsible marketing of breastmilk substitutes. This is a matter of life and death; in areas with unsafe water a bottle-fed child is up to 25 times more likely to die as a result of diarrhoea. I saw babies die from lack of breastfeeding when I lived and worked in Pakistan from 1976 to 1990.) In developed countries, a bottle-fed baby has a lower standard of health than a fully breastfed baby in the developing world. According to UNICEF, reversing the decline in breastfeeding could save 1.5 million lives around the world every year.  

Baby Milk Action is a non-profit organisation that works within a global network, the International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN).  See http://www.babymilkaction.org/

The book's production is entirely independent of Baby Milk Action, and the organisation takes no responsibility for any of its contents.

For more information, or to order a copy, please contact me on my hotmail.com address, putting aliblenk@ first. The book may also be ordered from the publishers, Pen Press, tel 0845 1080530. Bulk orders from them will cost the purchaser less, but direct ordering from me for up to 3 copies gets more money for Baby Milk Action. You can also order online from Baby Milk Action by clicking on the above link.

Rule, Breastfeeding! (tune: Rule, Britannia!)

For many years I have been writing humorous songs
to raise awareness of the many things that steal breastfeeding's heart and soul,
and now I have a book to enable me to reach that goal.
This is my purpose, to help correct those wrongs,
and raise funds for Baby Milk Action's vital role.

Love, and Mum's milk, will save the world, I trust;
learn all about it while you're laughing fit to bust!

Click here for a song to celebrate Nestlé-free week, annually in October

Reviews and comments

See Amazon.co.uk for reviews by readers.

Louisa, mother of two breastfed babies, Guildford:

I just wanted to let you know how much I am enjoying your book - it's such a unique idea, and love how it's packed with your personality - it's a very funny read (with some fascinating factual info!)  Also perfect for new mums, as it's very pick-up and put down able!  I'm sure you've not nearly printed enough!!!

Ann, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant:

I am enjoying it, dipping in and always finding something funny or uplifting.

Barbara, La Leche League Leader (breastfeeding counsellor):

It is a really good read and highly entertaining as well as informative.

My cousin Christabelle, a former member of NCT:

I have really enjoyed reading Fit to Bust even thought I am a bit past breast feeding!!! Even David is going to read it - I've been reading out titbits to him.
 
Vivienne Parry, writer and broadcaster:
 
It's exactly what it says on the tin. A comic treasure chest, and very funny. Bravo.
 
Deborah Sarjant (formerly Jackson), author of Three in a Bed:
 
Alison applies her boundless enthusiasm and lyrical inventiveness to the topic of breastfeeding. Fit to Bust refuses to tip-toe around the taboos. It's good to know that 'humanicum breastfeedicus' is not only a fairly common species - she also has a great sense of humour.
 
Nell McAndrew, TV celebrity and model and breastfeeding mother
 
I found your book very informative, entertaining and a refreshingly light-hearted overview of breastfeeding. As I am still breastfeeding my 2 year old son, I am very pleased that you are doing an amazing job of trying to inform more people that to breastfeeding is perfectly normal, especially beyond babyhood. (March 2009)

Click here for order information:

Click here to read the forewords by Baby Milk Action's policy director, Patti Rundall OBE, and others.

Click here to read a sample chapter.

Click here for a YouTube video of a demonstration on Parliament Square on 18 July 2008, singing my breastfeeding campaign song!

I was very pleased to be interviewed twice by Premier Christian Radio in 2008, on Woman to Woman. Presenter Maria Toth express her delight at my book and songs, and we had an hour of discussing why breastfeeding is part of God's plan, how we should support it, and talking with callers to the programme.