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Feeding your baby

New parents want to give their babies the very best. When it comes to nutrition, the best first food for babies is breast milk. Breast milk contains everything your baby needs for the first six months of life.

Why breast is best for your baby

• Breast milk is natural - it's the food specifically designed for your baby
• Breast milk is easy for your baby to digest
• Breastfeeding is protective - antibodies in your milk help to reduce the risk of infections and illness
• Breastfed babies are five times less likely to be admitted to hospital during the first year of life because of gastroenteritis
• Breastfed babies are less likely to suffer from eczema and allergies
• Breast milk contains everything your baby needs to develop
• Breast milk changes with your baby as he or she grows
• Breastfed babies are less likely to suffer from childhood obesity and diabetes
• Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for the first six months of life
• Breast milk continues to provide goodness for your baby for over two years

Why breast is best for mothers

• Breastfeeding is free
• There is no need to sterilise bottles, prepare feeds or keep your baby waiting
• You can do it anytime, any place, anywhere
• Breastfeeding is a lot easier than bottle-feeding in the middle of the night
• Breastfeeding helps your uterus to return to normal size more quickly
• Breastfeeding uses more calories
• Breastfeeding reduces the risk of pre-menopausal breast cancer, cancer of the ovaries and osteoporosis

Breast is best for dads too

Dads want what is best for their babies too. You can get involved with your new baby in lots of ways - bathing, cuddling, bed time. After the first few weeks your baby can have breast milk from a bottle if you want to help with feeds too.

Remember breastfeeding is a skill and all new skills need practice. The key to successful breastfeeding is getting your baby to latch on well at the breast. Be patient and give yourself time to learn with your baby. Your midwife and health visitor will be able to help you, and Plymouth has a growing number of breastfeeding groups which run all around the city. All the groups have trained breastfeeding peer supporters - mums who have breastfed and are keen to help other mums and babies. The groups offer lots of support and welcome women who are already breastfeeding, or who are pregnant and want to find out more about breastfeeding.

Alternative feeding methods

A small number of women are advised not to breastfeed - for example, if you have a blood borne virus like HIV or hepatitis B - your midwife will advise you about this.

If you are planning to bottle feed your baby, either with expressed breast milk or with formula milk, it is important that you do this safely for your baby:

• All equipment must be washed and sterilised
• Formula feeds must be made up according to the manufacturer’s instructions
• Only use formula which is specifically recommended for the age of your baby
• Feeds must not be too hot, and should not be warmed in the microwave
• Soya milk should only be used if advised by your doctor

Your midwife or health visitor can help you with advice about bottle feeding.

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