Breastfeeding

Common breastfeeding concerns

• Benefits of breastfeeding

  There are lots of benefits to both the breastfeeding parent and the baby. Breastfeeding is also good for the environment as it doesn’t produce any waste and has a very small carbon footprint.

  Benefits for breastfeeding parent

  • • helps build a bond between you and your baby
    • no costs to breastfeed
    • lowers the breastfeeding parent’s risk of breast and ovarian cancer
    • lowers the likelihood of diabetes and high blood pressure
    • lowers the likelihood of osteoporosis

  Benefits for baby

  • • breastmilk is custom made for your baby and will change to meet your baby's needs and environment
    • always available at the correct temperature with no preparation needed
    • boosts your baby’s ability to fight infection and illness
    • reduced likelihood of chest infections and diarrhoea
    • reduced likelihood of obesity as your baby cannot be overfed on breastmilk
    • reduced risk of asthma, eczema, hay-fever and some childhood cancers
    • reduced risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

• How long to breastfeed for

  Any amount of breastfeeding is beneficial to your baby. We recommend to breastfeed (not using formula) for at least 6 months. This gives your baby all the benefits and protection for those 6 months.

  Breastfeeding for longer than 6 months will continue these benefits in addition to helping your baby digest solid foods. The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends to breastfeed for at least the first 2 years.

  Ages	What to feed your baby (breastfeeding)
  Up to 6 months old	Breastfeeding your baby. No other foods or drinks alongside the feeds.
  Between 6 to 12 months old	Breastfeeding your baby while introducing healthy foods and drinks. Read our information about weaning and introducing solid foods.
  12 months and beyond	Breast feeding your baby while eating a healthy balanced diet. Full-fat cow’s milk.

   

• Breastmilk is tailor made for your baby

  Your breastmilk is made by your body, specially for your baby. Throughout the day, your body is working to create a customised mixture of antibodies and nutrients to help your baby grow and fight off infections and illnesses.

  Your body is figuring out what your baby needs and is taking information about your surroundings. This means that your breastmilk will adapt and change as your baby grows older, but also will change throughout the day.

  If you have another baby or child who is also breastfeeding, your breastmilk will adapt to meet the needs of both your children.

• Taking vitamin D supplements

  Vitamin D is important for babies to grow bones and help their muscle health. Our main source of vitamin D is sunlight.

  Due to the climate in the UK, all adults living in the UK are recommended to take a daily vitamin D supplement of 10mcg. While some vitamin D is passed onto your baby through breastmilk, there is not enough for your baby.

  If you are exclusively breastfeeding your baby or mixed feeding with less than 500ml of formula milk a day, your baby will need a daily vitamin D supplement containing 8.5 to 10mcg of vitamin D. This will help keep your baby healthy.

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  NHS Healthy Start scheme

  If you’re claiming certain benefits and more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4 years old, you may be entitled to get help to buy healthy food and milk. 

  Children can have free Healthy Start vitamin drops from the age of 4 weeks until their 4th birthday. Children who are having 500ml or more of formula a day do not need Healthy Start vitamins.

  Read more about Healthy Start eligibility.

• Medications in breastmilk

  There are a number of medicines and medications you can take safely whilst breastfeeding. If you have any concerns about how any medications that you are prescribed may affect your breastmilk, speak to your health visitor.

  Visit the 'Drugs in Breastmilk factsheets' on the Breastfeeding Network

• Restarting breastfeeding

  If you decide not to breastfeed or have stopped breastfeeding, it is possible to restart. This can be difficult because your milk supply will naturally reduce when you are not breastfeeding. It can increase again to meet your baby's needs. 

  If you are wanting to restart breastfeeding, speak to a health professional in our team who will be able to offer advice and support.