Well Done Mum

Breast Feeding

Once established, breastfeeding is easy and for most mothers and babies a very enjoyable experience. In the first few days you both need to learn what to do. You need to practice and if necessary, get help and advice from your midwife. But like any skill it needs to be learnt.

The first milk you produce in the days just after the birth (called colostrums contains antibodies which will help protect your baby from infection, so even if you don't continue breastfeeding, your baby will receive some benefits from this.

Why Breastfeeding is best:

Best for Baby

• A mother's milk has just the right amount of fat, sugar, water, and protein that is needed for a baby's growth and development.
• It is easier to digest breast milk than formula.
• Breast milk has agents (called antibodies) in it to help protect infants from bacteria and viruses and to help them fight off infection and disease.
• Human milk straight from the breast is always sterile.

The health benefits of breastfeeding include less risk of:

• Coughs and colds
• Stomach upsets
• Ear infections
• Childhood diabetes
• Asthma and eczema
• Obesity

Best for Mom

• Breastfeeding saves times and money.
• Breast milk is always instantly available.
• There are no bottles to warm in the middle of the night.
• Breastfeeding also helps a mother bond with her baby. Physical contact is important to newborns and can help them feel more secure, warm and comforted.
• Nursing uses up extra calories, making it easier to lose the pounds gained from pregnancy.
• It also helps the uterus to get back to its original size more quickly and lessens any bleeding a woman may have after giving birth.
• Breastfeeding also may lower the risk of breast and ovarian cancers.