Breast milk is the ideal food for a baby. It is nutritionally balanced, with the perfect amount of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and iron to help the baby to grow. It contains antibodies that help to protect your baby from infection, and changes to suit the different needs of the baby as they grow.
The UK government supports the World Health Organisation recommendation that:
* breast milk is the best form of nutrition for infants,
* exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for the first 6 months (26 weeks) of an infants life, as it provides all the nutrients a baby needs,
* breastfeeding (and breast milk substitutes, if used) should continue for a minimum of the first six months (and should continue as solid food is introduced),
* mothers who are unable to, or choose not to, breastfeed, should discuss other options with their midwife or GP while pregnant. It is important for mothers who do not breastfeed to get the support and information they need to make sure their baby gets the nutrition they need.
Breastfeeding is the completely natural way to feed your baby. It also has short-term and long-term health benefits for both mother and child. For mothers, breastfeeding helps to:
* strengthen your bones,
* lower your risk of getting ovarian or breast cancer, and
* get your pre-pregnancy figure back more quickly.
For babies, breastfeeding:
* protects against diarrhoea, gastroenteritis, ear and chest infections,
* reduces the risk of diabetes or eczema, and
* means their nappies are less smelly.
The experience of breastfeeding can be a very satisfying and relaxing one, promoting closeness between mother and child. Support from family, friends and health professionals is also important, particularly for first time mothers, or women who find breastfeeding difficult to establish.
If you have any concerns regarding breastfeeding, or need to find out how to breastfeed properly, there are many sources of help, advice and support available, including your midwife, self-help groups, telephone helplines and breastfeeding counsellors.