Breastfeeding is best for your baby. It is perfectly suited to nourish infants and protect them from illnesses such as ear infections, tummy upsets, diabetes, eczema and obesity.
The Department of Health and Children recommends that, for the first 6 months, infants should be exclusively breastfed. Breastfeeding should continue to 2 years and beyond, whilst giving the infant suitable solid foods from a spoon.
Breastfeeding has lots of benefits for you and your baby, both in the short term and right throughout life.
Breastfeeding can reduce the risk of your baby developing asthma or allergy as they grow up.
Breastfeeding your baby can reduce their risk of being overweight or obese when they are older. It is also associated with a reduced risk of high blood pressure and high cholesterol when your baby is an adult.
Breastfeeding also has benefits for Mum — helping you to regain your pre-pregnancy weight more quickly and also giving you some protection against certain types of cancers later in life.
Babies breastfed for 6 months or longer perform better in school tests in maths, reading and spelling when they are 10 years old.
Colostrum, the milk produced in the first few days after the birth, is extremely rich in antibodies to help the baby fight infections — this immunity is very beneficial for the new born baby.
Every woman’s breast milk will be tailored specifically for her own baby — designer food on demand!
The composition of breast milk changes over time to meet the baby’s changing needs as the baby grows and develops.
Breast milk provides complete nutrition for the baby for about the first 6 months of life.
A daily Vitamin D drop should be given to the baby in addition to their breastfeeds.
