The advantages of breast feeding

Breast milk is the ideal food for your baby; a complete food from nature containing all the nutrition baby needs for healthy growth and development. Breast feeding your baby is also an extremely economical, portable and practical way of feeding baby - no feeding equipment or sterilisers required!

For many women, breast feeding and the experience of nourishing their baby from their own bodies is also an important time for bonding with their baby.

Breast milk is an amazing substance, constantly changing to suit the nutritional requirements of your baby as he or she passes through the various phases of development. Breast fed babies enjoy better health, as antibodies in breast milk help to ward off colds, chest and ear infections, diarrhoea and other stomach upsets. Breast milk is easily digested and provides baby with the right balance of nutrition and fluid to avoid problems such as constipation. Feeding your baby breast milk also reduces the chances of baby developing an allergy.

Apart from being an economical and practical way of nourishing your baby, breast feeding can also bring certain health benefits to the mother. Breast feeding baby soon after birth helps the uterus to contract, thus reducing the risk of postpartum haemorrhage. Breast feeding for at least six months also helps to protect against pre-menopausal breast cancer, as well as cervical cancer and osteoporosis. Many women find that breast feeding helps to drop those additional kilos gained during pregnancy - but remember that you need to take good care of your own nutritional needs during this busy and demanding time. Lastly, and by no means least, there is the joy that physical contact with your baby brings, which is good for both mother and baby!