Breast feeding your baby

Every mum wants to give their baby the best start in life, and by breast feeding your newborn, you will be doing exactly that. Breast feeding is not just good for your baby, it has lots of benefits for you too.

Best for your baby

• Breast milk contains all the nutrients your baby needs in exactly the right proportions.
• It is easier for your baby to digest than formula milk.
• Breast milk gives babies vital antibodies that help protect them against illnesses like coughs, colds and chest infections.
• Breast-fed babies are less likely to suffer from tummy upsets and constipation.
• Breast feeding reduces the chance of your baby developing allergies, eczema and childhood diabetes.
• Breast feeding is better for your baby's teeth than bottle feeding.
• Breast-fed babies are less likely to have problems with childhood obesity.

Best for you

• Breast feeding may help reduce your risk of breast cancer.¹
• It helps your uterus return to its normal size post-birth.
• It uses up calories, and may make it easier to lose your pregnancy weight.
• It can help you bond with your baby.
• It's fuss free. There's no need to sterilise and prepare bottles, or take lots of kit when you go out.
• It doesn't cost anything.

Getting started
Breast feeding might be the most natural thing in the world, but learning how to breast feed is a new skill for you and your baby and can take practice. The most important lesson to master is getting your baby to latch on to the breast correctly. Many breast feeding problems are down to a poor latch.

Tips for a good latch

• Hold your baby close, tummy towards yours and nose level with your nipple.
• Wait until your baby opens their mouth wide.
• Quickly bring your baby towards the breast.
• Your baby should tilt their head back and come to the breast chin first, taking a large mouthful of breast, not just the nipple.

When there's a problem
It is normal to find breast feeding difficult at first, but if you develop problems such as cracked, bleeding nipples, or if your baby is struggling to latch on, still seems hungry after feeding or is not producing wet nappies, it is important to seek advice.

Your midwife is your first port of call. She will either be able to help you overcome the problem or else can put you in touch with a breast feeding counsellor or a local support group.

1. Collaborative Group on Hormonal Factors in Breast Cancer. Breast cancer and breastfeeding: collaborative reanalysis of individual data from 47 epidemiological studies in 30 countries, including 50 302 women with breast cancer and 96 973 women without the disease Lancet 2002 Volume 360 (9328):187-195.