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:

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:

Website: www.laleche.org.uk/supportgroup/la-leche-league-isle-man
Email: lllbreastfeeding@manx.net

‘Breastfeeding welcome here’ scheme in the Isle of Man 

The following establishments including cafés and restaurants are now part of the ‘Breastfeeding Welcome Here’ scheme and display a sticker stating that breastfeeding mothers are welcome.  

Pharmacies

General Practioners

Please help us provide support for breastfeeding mothers. Together we can take a proactive approach in developing a healthier community. 

If you would like more information or to register to this new scheme please email;