Breast is best
Breast milk is the best milk for babies. Breast milk provides the ideal balanced nutrition and protection for your baby. Maternal nutritional requirements increase during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Therefore mothers’ diets should include a wide variety of nutritious food and healthy snacks.
If you are considering bottle feeding, always seek professional advice as once bottle feeding has commenced it can be difficult to revert to breast feeding. Partial bottle feeding may also adversely affect breastfeeding by reducing the supply of breast milk. Always use and prepare infant formula as directed by the manufacturer; unnecessary or improper use of infant formula can be hazardous to the health of your baby.
Before using infant formula, always consider the social and financial implications, such as issues of convenience and cost to the household of using infant formula for at least 12 months. If you are considering using infant formula, it is important to discuss this with a health professional.
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Breastfeeding: handy advice for six months and up
Breast milk is the ideal mix of nutrients for your baby, and it’s recommended that you breastfeed for at least the first six months, and continue feeding breastmilk along with other complementary foods for at least the first 12 months.
Here are a few things to think about:
- Breast milk is the ideal balance of nutrients for your baby – it suits them no matter which stage of development they’re in. Just make sure you introduce solids at around six months.
- Breastfeeding is portable, hygienic, and affordable.
- Returning to work doesn’t mean you need to stop breastfeeding. You can express milk, feed before and after work, or maybe find a crèche or daycare nearby – there are plenty of options to help you through.
- Remember, what works for fellow mums, might not work for you. You should do what works best for both you and your baby.
- Giving food before a breast feed is best from about 8-9 months so that the baby gets to eat enough food and not just rely on milk for their nutrition.