Why Breastfeeding is important
Being pregnant means making choices, such as when to stop work, your birth plan, and one of the most important how you will feed your baby.
The natural choice is breastfeeding your baby.
Breastfeeding
- helps to protect your baby from illness and infections
- it provides the correct balance of food and nutrients for your baby
- it helps the mother and baby to bond
- what can be more convenient, breastfeeding means instant, pre-warmed, ready-to-serve food wherever you go.
Babies who are not breastfed…
- have an increased likelihood of having an allergy
- will cost more money - infant formula is not cheap. Plus non-breastfed babies are more likely to fall ill due to their susceptibility to allergies and illness, which can mean more time and money on medical bills
- is less environmentally friendly than breastfeeding. What can be more natural than breastfeeding.
Breast Feeding Facts
- Most babies can start breastfeeding straight away as they naturally have the urge to suck.
- The more breast milk your baby takes, the more milk your body will produce, so you can let your baby feed frequently whenever they are hungry.
- Babies breastfeed for comfort and closeness as well as to satisfy their hunger and thirst.
- Breastmilk is easily digested.
- Breast milk contains something called colostrum. Which in the first few days has antibodies that provide resistance to infection.
- A well balanced diet is important. There are no specific foods that will increase the amount of breast milk produced.
- As your baby grows, your breastmilk changes to meet their developing needs. The breast milk is always the right food for your baby and provides all the nutrients the baby needs for the first six months of life. It will continue to supply between a half to a third of the needed nutrients up to the baby’s second birthday.
- If your baby has only breastmilk for at least the first six months they are less likely to have allergy problems.
- Non-breastfed babies have a lower resistance to disease and are more likely to become sick. Apart from the health benefits, breastfeeding means fewer doctors’ visits and less time in hospital with illness.
- Breastfeeding helps your body return to its pre-pregnant state more quickly. Many women also find they lose excess weight more easily while breastfeeding.
More Breastfeeding information (coming soon)
- Planing to breastfeed or want to prepare to breastfeed << read more >>
- Breastfeeding and children’s asthma << read more >>
- Dealing with biting babies when Breastfeeding << read more >>
Help with Breastfeeding
Some mothers experience difficulties breastfeeding, especially in the early days.
As with any problem, help can be at hand.
There are a number of good sources of information available on the web and associations who may be able to offer advice if you have questions about breastfeeding or are a new mother and are having difficulties with breastfeeding. |
