Breast feeding

Importance of breast milk

 Breast milk is the best food for your baby. Babies who are breastfed from birth are much less likely to be ill in their first year of life.This is not only for our baby health it also healthier to mothers body. Being breastfed may help your baby fend off illnesses such as:

• gastroenteritis
• pneumonia and bronchitis
• urinary tract infections
• eczema
• ear infections

People who were breastfed as babies had lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol levels and were less likely to develop type two diabetes in adulthood . Breastfeeding is also beneficial for your baby's brain development. It helps to lower your risk of getting breast cancer before you reach your menopause. It can also help protect you against ovarian cancer and weak bones (osteoporosis) later in life.

The World Health Organisation and the Health Ministry recommend that babies are given only breast milk for their first six months. This is called exclusive breastfeeding. They also say that women should carry on breastfeeding after their babies have started on solid food, until the end of the first year and beyond if they wish. The World Health Organisation advises mums to breastfeed for two years.

Breast milk is a complete food. It contains at least 400 nutrients, including hormones and disease-fighting compounds that aren't found in formula milk. Its nutritional make-up adjusts to your baby's needs as she grows and develops. Find out more about how your body makes breast milk. This makes a special bond between baby and mother.

Some women adjust to breastfeeding easily. But many new mums find it hard to get going. In the first six weeks, as your milk supply adjusts and your baby learns how to breastfeed, you may suffer from:

• Engorgement: overfull breasts
• Mastitis: an inflammation of the breast
• Sore nipples

So if you're feeling discouraged, remember that you're not the only one having trouble.