Sustaining Breastfeeding Together

Breastfeeding has many benefits for baby and mother. However, breastfeeding rates in the Isle of Man are significantly lower than UNICEFs recommendation of 70% women exclusively breastfeeding at 6 months. Women who are supported by partners, family and the wider community are more likely to successfully breastfeed for the recommended 6 months.

That's why we're spreading the message of creating sustainable support systems for breastfeeding mothers this World Breastfeeding running between week 1 to week 7 of August.

The World Alliance Breastfeeding Association (WABA) is a global network of organisations dedicated to the education, promotion and support of breastfeeding across the world. Their theme for breastfeeding week 2025 is to prioritise breastfeeding by creating sustainable support systems.

To do this, we need to create breastfeeding-friendly environments at all levels; national, health services, workplace and community.

Support

Support systems are crucial for successful breastfeeding as they help mothers feel more confident, comfortable and empowered. Family and friends can provide physical and emotional support to breastfeeding mothers to help mother and baby to succeed in their breastfeeding journey.

As an individual, you can ensure support for breastfeeding by:

• Going to antenatal or breastfeeding sessions
  
  
• Giving emotional and practical support to your breastfeeding partner
  
  
• Arranging paternity leave to support your breastfeeding partner
  
  
• Making life easier for your breastfeeding partner by bringing them food and drinks during a feed, and considering other support options such as arranging for family and friends to also provide support to your family

As a community, the Isle of Man offers support including:

The Manx Care Infant Feeding Team

The infant feeding team offer support for all families whether they are breastfeeding or bottle feeding. The team organises regular 'Breasftfeeding Buddies' support and advice sessions.

Find out more about the infant feeding team.

The Breastfeeding Welcome Here scheme

The Breastfeeding Welcome Here Scheme encourages local venues to display the 'Breastfeeding Welcome' logo on the window, making a pledge to be breastfeeding-friendly.

Take a look at our list of breastfeeding-friendly cafes and coffee shops or keep an eye out for the 'Breastfeeding Welcome Here' logo.

If you are a local venue wishing to take part in the scheme.

Please email publichealth@gov.im

Your Health Professional

Whether it’s a GP, Practice Nurse or Health Visitor, health professionals are a great resource for breastfeeding knowledge. If your baby is having regular check-ups, health professionals will be able to tell if you need any more support on breastfeeding. They can also advise on and treat if needed for engorgement and mastitis and other common problems associated with breastfeeding. 

Your Employer

You may experience mixed feelings about returning to work after maternity leave. You may be happy to return to the workplace and colleagues, but you may also find it daunting, for you and your baby. You can make the transition much smoother by asking your employer to:

• Offer a private room to allow mothers to express milk in a comfortable and clean space if this is not already available
  
  
• Ensure your workplace has a fridge that is clean and hygienic to store breastmilk
  
  
• Consider offering flexible or part-time working hours
  
  
• Listen to and accommodate returning mothers needs that may be different to each individual

If you are an employer

Additional advice on making your workplace breastfeeding-friendly can be found here.

Breastfeeding benefits 

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
  
  
• During the first few days of breastfeeding, breast milk contains 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 your baby’s lifelong weight
  
  
• The prebiotic oligosaccharides found naturally in breast milk are special nutrients that can encourage the growth of friendly bacteria in your baby’s 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 weight-management