But if breastfeeding doesn't come naturally at first, don't worry. Plenty of new mums and babies have to practise and persevere until they get the hang of it.
Is it true that breast is best?
Yes, breastmilk is the best food for your baby. It's the healthiest way to feed her.Breastmilk is a complete food. It contains at least 400 nutrients, as well as hormones and disease-fighting compounds, that aren't present in formula milk. Its nutritional make-up even adjusts to your baby's needs as she grows.
Feeding your baby only breastmilk for up to six months (exclusive breastfeeding) is particularly good for her. It can improve your baby’s cognitive development. So being breastfed could even make her more intelligent.
Babies who are exclusively breastfed from birth are also much less likely to be ill in their first year of life. Being breastfed may help your baby to fend off illnesses such as:
- gastroenteritis
- pneumonia and bronchiolitis
- ear infections
We can't say that exclusive breastfeeding reduces the risk of children ever developing eczema. But babies who are breastfed for any period of time do tend to have lower rates of severe eczema than babies who were always formula-fed. It's also possible that breastfeeding delays when your child first develops eczema.
Breastfeeding helps to build a special bond between you and your baby. And in the long-term, breastfeeding may help your baby to stay healthy. Studies have shown that adults who were breastfed as babies, when compared with those who were formula-fed:
- had lower blood pressure
- had lower cholesterol levels
- were less likely to become obese
- were less likely to develop type 2 diabetes
Breastfeeding is good for you, too, and may help you to lose weight. In the long term, it also helps to:
- lower your risk of breast cancer
- protect against ovarian cancer before the menopause
- reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes
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