Benefits of Breastfeeding
- Breastfeeding is important for your baby’s health and development as well as providing benefits for mom.
- Breastfeeding babies are protected from serious health conditions such as respiratory diseases, ear infection, gastrointestinal tract infection, allergies, diabetes and obesity. Research shows that the incidence of SIDS is reduced in breastfed babies.
- Breastmilk is the only food your baby will need for the first 6 months of life. Other liquids/foods such as water, juice, sugar water, formula, cereal and other foods are not needed during this time, unless medically necessary.
- Breastfeeding benefits mothers by reducing the risk of breast and ovarian cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
- Breastfeeding your baby is recommended for the first 2 years of life and beyond if your baby is interested, it is however necessary to supplement with the addition of complementary foods after 6 months.
Did you know?
Keeping your baby skin-to-skin after birth has lasting health benefits. Skin-to-skin helps to regulate your baby’s temperature, respiration, gastrointestinal troubles including gassiness/colic. It also helps your baby to breastfeed better and keeps baby calm. Skin-to-skin also has benefits for the mother by helping to create a bond between mom/dad and baby.
Both mom and dad can do skin-to-skin with baby.