Why should I breastfeed?

• Breastmilk is tailor-made with your very own baby in mind. It provides exactly the correct nutrients in an easy to digest package at exactly the right temperature, whenever your baby wants it!
• Colostrum or first milk is produced during pregnancy and in the first two to four days of life prior to the milk ‘coming in’. This is rich in antibodies to help protect your new baby from infections and build resistance. Colostrum is also high in protein, so a little goes a long way. Even if you do not want to breastfeed your baby on a regular basis, it is very important to give your baby the benefit of this excellent first food. It is also known to aid the smooth passage of meconium through the bowels. This is the sticky dark stool that has been in the bowels of your baby during pregnancy.
• Breastfed babies suffer less infections in their first year. This is not only better for the baby, but also for the NHS, as the breastfed baby is less likely to need expensive treatment in hospital. Their need for antibiotics is also reduced, which avoids any side-effects to their immature immmune system. Infections include those to the eyes, ears, chest, urinary system, skin and gastrointestinal system [tummy bugs]
• Sticky eyes are very common in the newborn and cause much worry and struggling with fiddly eyedrops. I did not realise, until I was informed by a friend, that expressing a few drops of breastmilk straight into the affected eye would treat it. I tried it and miraculously my son’s sticky eye cleared up within hours! This treatment is used by mothers in the developing World all the time.
• Obesity is uncommon with breastfed babies as they seem to only take what their body needs to grow. This will lessen risks of developing complications in later life. These include heart disease , strokes, high blood pressure, diabetes and many more.
• Necrotizing enterocolitis is a bowel infection seen mostly in premature infants. This is known to be up to ten times more common in formula fed babies than breastfed babies.
• Immunisation. With all the recent talk about the dangers of immunisation, especially the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) you will be encouraged to hear that breastfed babies appear to have a better tolerance to immunisations than formula fed babies. Breastmilk contains high levels of antibodies that pass from mother to infant. This natural immunity continues until you wean. In addition, his immune system appears to mature at a faster rate, so he is better equipped to fight infections .
• Allergies were an important issue to me, as I suffer from hayfever and am allergic to penicilin, cats and dogs. I was keen to try and avoid my children suffering, as I had. Also, in a world where there are so many new chemicals and man-made products, which are known to harm young immune systems, it is vital to give them the best protection possible. Breastfeeding has been seen to reduce the incidence of allergic reactions, which go on to cause: asthma, eczema, hayfever and, more commonly now, nut allergies. It is important to remember that you should try to avoid allergy-triggers, which may go on to sensitize an infant’s immune system (Northstone 2002). Current advice recommends giving gluten-free products for the first six months and to avoid cows-milk as a drink until a year. Nuts and eggs are also thought to trigger allergies, if introduced too early. Recent research also suggests, that it is important to avoid baby bath products, baby wipes and antiseptic powders in the first few weeks of life. The skin needs time to mature and could become sensitized to these products, if used too early.
• Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is a complex subject and there are many causes. Breastfeeding alone will not give your baby total protection from this tragedy, but it will lessen the risks. Our first son died at three weeks of age due to cotdeath. I mention this because he was breastfed, so why did this not protect him? He had been born with hydrocephalus (fluid on the brain), he had undergone surgery at a few days old, been given lots of drugs, all of which would have been risk factors. He also slept on his tummy (which is not recommended today). I may never know the real reason why he died but I do know, that by breastfeeding him, I gave him the best chance I could. The best advice for any new mother is still to breastfeed, if possible and NOT TO smoke near your baby. Always lay your baby on their back, towards the bottom of the cot, so they cannot wriggle down under the covers. The use of duvets and cot bumpers are not recommended until a year old as they could cause overheating, which is, in itself, another risk factor.
• Less dental problems and better jaw development
• Better brain and nerve development leading to higher IQ levels!