Breastfeeding
Protect your baby
Breast milk is the only natural food designed for your baby
The benefits of breast milk and breastfeeding include:
- breast milk contains all the nutrients the baby needs for around the first 6 months of life and helps to support their immune system
- breast milk containing colostrum, which is full of antibodies that help protect your baby from any infections during initial feeds
- mother’s milk production will adapt to the baby, the more often you feed the more milk you will produce
- the complex composition of breast milk is constantly changing to meet the baby’s nutritional requirements
- breastfeeding can strengthen the bond between you and your baby.
Benefits for your baby
There are many benefits of breastfeeding for your baby, such as:
- breast milk significantly contributes to the battle against weight and obesity
- the prebiotic oligosaccharides found naturally in breast milk are special nutrients that can encourage the growth of friendly bacteria in the digestive system
- protection against ear infections
- protection against chest infections and wheezing
- lower risk of diabetes
- less risk of eczema
- protection against diarrhoea, gastroenteritis and tummy upsets
- better mental development
- better mouth development and straighter teeth
- nappies not as smelly
Benefits for the mother
There are many benefits of breastfeeding for the mother, such as:
- lower risk of ovarian cancer
- lower risk of pre-menopausal breast cancer
- stronger bones in later life
- can assist with a faster return to pre-pregnancy figure.
Breastfeeding support groups
Breastfeeding Buddies Drop-in Clinic
For additional breastfeeding advice contact:
Infant Feeding Team
Telephone:+44 1624 811837
Email:Send Email
La Leche League Isle of Man
La Leche offer a friendly mother-to-mother breastfeeding support group from pregnancy through to weaning.
For more information contact:
| Leader Name | Telephone |
|---|---|
| Siobhan | +44 1624 625 / +44 7624 |
Website: www.laleche.org.uk/supportgroup/la-leche-league-isle-man
Email: lllbreastfeeding@manx.net
‘Breastfeeding welcome here’ scheme in the Isle of Man
Look out for the 'Breastfeeding welcome here' logo.
