The World Health Organisation recommend that babies are exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months of life at which point weaning to solids and possible weaning to formula should begin. Many health professionals and breastfeeding advocates recommend breastfeeding for 12 months. Some mothers breastfeed for just a few weeks. For all mothers and babies no matter the length of time baby is breastfed, the below remains true.

Benefits of Breastfeeding

• Breast milk has just the right amount of fat, sugar, water, and protein that is needed for a baby's growth and development
• It also has essential antibodies.
• It is thought that the sucking motion of breastfeeding reduces the incidence of inner ear infections.
• Breast milk is sterile and easier to digest than formula.
• It saves time, money and is fully portable with no mixing or sterilising required.
• It is easier for night feeds.
• It burns calories for mom and helps the uterus to contract back to it's normal size
• It is thought to lower the risk of breast and ovarian cancers

Breastfeeding Hints and Tips

1. Ask your midwife or health visitor for advice. They are experts at breastfeeding and have witnessed first hand the problems and successes of other mothers. They can also advise you of local breastfeeding counsellors and groups.
2. If you have difficulty or pain in the first couple of weeks persevere. It is natural and normal and will subside as your breasts get used to breastfeeding.
3. Put all thoughts of jobs that need doing out of your head and concentrate on the here and now. Make the most of the cuddles and time you get with our baby during breastfeeding and make the most of putting your feet up.
4. Be prepared with a drink and snack by your side. Breastfeeding is hungry work.
5. Do not be embarrassed to breastfeed in public. If you do feel a little shy then make use of corner tables in cafes, loose clothing and shawls or pashminas. Many stores now also have breastfeeding and family areas.
6. Watch what you eat. Avoid alcohol and strong flavours as these do go through to your breast milk.
7. If you can try to express some milk. It takes the pressure off you if dad or a grandparent can give a bottle of expressed milk to give you time to pop out or have a nap.
8. Breastmilk can be frozen so if you express you could put the milk in ice cube trays.
9. If you are on any medication check with your midwife or doctor before the birth to see if you can breastfeed.
10. Try to breastfeed immediately after the birth. The milk that your baby gets then and for the first few days is packed with fats, antibodies and protein in a more concentrated form than in the milk which will come through a few days later. If you do express milk at this point then you will notice it is quite thick and yellow.
11. Over 24 hours you will probably nurse for 10 – 15 minutes about 12 times a day to begin with. As baby grows up they may start to feed for longer and less often. Your milk will also flow quicker as your body has begun to be used to the supply and demand cycle and baby has begun to be a more effective sucker.
12. To get baby to open their mouth and latch on try brushing your nipple against the tp of their nose until they open their mouth then use your fingers to position your nipple deep in baby's mouth pointing slightly up towards the roof of baby's mouth.
13. If you do have any breast pain when breastfeeding or at any other time accompanied by reddening of the breasts see your doctor as you may have a breast infection.
14. If you have any stomach pains similar to period pains (or even bordering on labour pains) whilst breastfeeding do not worry. This is your uterus contracting prompted by the breastfeeding. If the pains seem too severe, are accompanied by other symptoms or worry you then mention this to your health visitor or doctor.
15. When breastfeeding have a breast pad or muslin on the breast not being used as you are bound to spring a leak as the breast gets ready for baby.