BENEFITS OF BREASTFEEDING

D4A Sun Jan 11, 2009 1:49 pm

First Feed:

* For baby - helps to stabilise baby’s blood sugars and protect baby’s gut.
* For mother - a great opportunity for the first skin-to-skin cuddle.

1 Day:

* For baby - the antibodies in mother’s colostrum provide natural immunity from infection.
* For mother - helps womb to contract to normal size.

2-3 Days:

* For baby - sticky black meconium is cleared more readily from baby’s bowel.
* For mother - instant relief for hot, swollen breasts when milk comes in.

1 Week:

* For baby - transition to world outside womb is eased.
* For mother - frequent feeds mean time to sit or lie down and for you to get to know each other.

2 weeks:

* For baby - food & drink always ready at the right temperature, adapting to the baby’s needs.
* For mother - hormones help you to get back to sleep after night feeds.

4 weeks:

* For premature babies - lower risk factors for heart disease in later life.
* For mother - saves time sterilising and making up bottles.

6 weeks:

* For baby - half the risk of chest infections now and up to 7 years old.
* For mother: Breastfeeding likely to be easier and you can go out and about without bottle feeding equipment.

2 months:

* For baby - lower risk of food allergy at 3 years old if breastfed only.
* For mother - reduced risk of ovarian cancer in later life.

3 months:

* For baby - five times less likely to get diarrhoea now and a reduced risk for the whole year.
* For mother - fewer visits to gp as baby is less often ill.

4 months:

* For baby - Half the risk of ear infections. Less risk of asthma now and protection continues for up to 6 years.
* For mother - feeling of empowerment at having been solely responsible for growing your baby for 4 months.

5 months:

* For baby - five times lower risk of urinary tract infections.
* For mother - a lovely way to reconnect with the baby if you go to work.

6 months:

* For baby - lower risk of eczema now and up to three years old.
* For mother - less risk of osteoporosis in the long term.

1 year:

* For baby - three times less risk of becoming obese by age six and a lower risk of heart disease as an adult.
* For mother - no need to by formula milk at all saving at least £450 this year.

2 years:
* For baby - likely to have higher average scores in intelligence tests.
* For mother - expect fewer visits to orthodontist when baby is a teenager. Risk of breast cancer reduced by 8%.