Why Breastfeed?

Mother's milk really is magic - especially the nourishing milk (colostrum) that you give your baby in the first few days.  We now know that children who were fed on mother's milk when they were babies are protected from all sorts of illnesses all through their childhood.  Each mother’s milk is custom-made for her baby’s specific needs and it is the perfect food for her baby.   It is impossible to manufacture artificially.

Breastmilk provides all the nutrition an infant needs for the first six months of life.  It has exactly the right amounts of protein, carbohydrate, vitamins and minerals, growth factors, natural sugars and essential fatty acids.

Breastfeeding protects babies against infection until they can protect themselves. Breastmilk helps build up the baby’s immune system as it contains antibodies, proteins and immune cells which are passed on to the baby.  Breastfed babies are less likely to suffer from vomiting and diarrhoea than formula-fed babies, and have fewer ear, throat, chest and urinary tract infections.  Breastfed babies have fewer colds and are less likely to develop bronchitis, pneumonia and other infections which may be related to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

Breastfed babies develop fewer allergies, asthma, and eczema.

Breastfeeding is economical – breastmilk is free!

Breast milk is completely environmentally friendly – no packaging necessary, and there is no need to boil kettles or measure amounts.

Breastmilk is always ready and at the right temperature.

Research suggests that breastfed babies have better neurological development. 

Breastfeeding protects your baby from type 1 diabetes.

Early breastfeeding is linked to a reduced risk of obesity in later life - it contains low levels of insulin (which is responsible for stimulating the creation of fat) and more of the protein hormone leptin which regulates appetite.

Did you know that by choosing to breastfeed you will also get back into shape faster?  Women who breastfeed use up about 2-300 extra calories a day - or the equivalent of two aerobic workouts a week! Not only will you will get into better shape faster, another benefit of breastfeeding is that it helps the womb to return to its pre pregnancy state more quickly.   So, breastfeeding may help you lose weight gained in pregnancy, and there are many other significant health benefits for mothers who breastfeed such as protection from osteoporosis and hip fractures.  Breastfeeding protects mothers from developing ovarian cancer and pre-menopausal breast cancer.

Breastfeeding is the cleanest, safest form of nutrition and the World Health Organisation unequivocally recommends breastfeeding.  You only have to follow basic hand-washing measures before feeding your baby and after changing his nappy.

Page last reviewed June 2009