Breastfeeding is the healthiest way you can feed your baby and it does not cost anything. Our maternity and health visiting services work together to ensure pregnant women and breastfeeding mums receive support and have the information needed to successfully begin and maintain breastfeeding.
Advantages to breastfeeding
There are many advantages and benefits of breastfeeding for mother and baby. If you are considering breastfeeding, it could be right for both mum and baby as:
- Breast milk is the only natural food that adapts to meet your baby’s changing needs
- Breast milk provides health benefits for both mum and baby. It protects your baby from infections and diseases
- Infant formula doesn’t give your baby the same ingredients or provide the same protection
- It’s available whenever your baby needs a feed and it’s the right temperature
- It is free. Feeding a baby on infant formula costs up to £1,000 a year
- It gives you a great sense of achievement while developing a strong physical and emotional bond with your baby
Women who breastfeed are also at a lower risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer and hip fractures. Breastfeeding can also help protect your baby against a wide range of illnesses, including:
- gastroenteritis
- chest infections
- ear infections
- urinary infections
- diabetes
- allergies
- childhood cancers and sudden infant death syndrome
- heart disease
UNICEF have a number of resources and articles available online, with key information on the benefits of breastfeeding and how it can support infant health.
Breastfeeding support workshops
We run several groups where you can meet other mums and get help with breastfeeding. To book on to one of these workshops please speak to your midwife directly:
Infant feeding service contacts
Laura Charlton
Specialist infant feeding midwife.
For all infant feeding related support.
Useful helplines
All help lines offer free, confidential advice from trained breastfeeding counsellors.
