The immune system of a new baby takes time to mature and to produce antibodies. Breast milk contains a lot of the mother’s antibodies to a range of infections, so the baby gets some valuable protection against infection until their own immune system can take over.

For some infections, immunity continues after breastfeeding stops, and even combining breast milk with some formula still helps to reduce the risk of infections. Evidence suggests that breastfeeding for at least the first six months of the child’s life provides significant benefits for both mother and baby:

* it provides the baby with milk that is perfectly suited to the baby’s needs - the composition of breast milk changes over time to provide the baby with the nutrients needed as they grow,
* it is free, convenient, the right temperature, and easy for the baby to digest,
* there is no need for sterilising, or expensive equipment,
* the baby is less likely to have more allergies such as asthma and eczema if they have been fed only breast milk,
* fewer breastfed babies get diabetes in childhood,
* fewer breastfed babies get respiratory-tract infections, middle-ear infections and gastroenteritis,
* in the long term, the mother is less likely to develop certain types of cancer of the ovary and breast,
* breastfeeding helps the uterus return to its pre-pregnancy size after the birth - the release of certain hormones as the baby starts to feed encourages the uterus to contract,
* it encourages the mother to sit, relax and enjoy the closeness and bonding with her baby that breastfeeding can provide - in the early days after the birth, it can be useful to set aside some time to rest when the baby sleeps,
* it can help with weight loss and premenstrual syndrome - studies show that breastfeeding women burn more calories compared to mothers who do not breastfeed, and
* breastfeeding also offers some protection against the bone disease osteoporosis. It is thought that the body uses calcium in a more efficient way when producing breast milk.