Breast feeding
Breast feeding is quite simply the best way to feed your baby, giving your child the best possible start in life. Your milk is unique and changes during each feed, with the time of day, your diet and the baby’s needs. Your breast milk is naturally full of nutrients, enzymes and antibodies. These antibodies reduce the risk of your baby suffering from many illnesses including ear, chest, gut and urine infections, as well as from diabetes, eczema, and asthma, which is why breast milk alone is enough to feed your child for the first six months of his or her life.
We will give you all the support you need from getting started with breastfeeding to weaning. This includes:
- While you’re still pregnant we’ll talk about feeding and bonding with your baby
- Holding and feeding your baby when they are born
- Learning how to respond to your baby’s needs
- Recognising feeding cues and knowing when your baby is getting enough milk
- Learning how to breastfeed and express milk
- Bottle feeding, making formula feeds and sterilising
- Weaning your baby on to solid foods
Information about feeding is also available in your Red Book.
We are also working with the Children’s Centres in Rotherham to develop a team of peer supporters who can help you get to grips with breast feeding, especially if it doesn’t seem to be as straightforward as you had hoped. Peer supporters are other Mums who have breastfed themselves so they know what it is like – but they have had training from our team and can offer lots of good advice and support.
If you would like some help with breast feeding, please ring the 0-19 helpline on 01709 423333.
