Te ngote Ū | Breastfeeding

The Ministry of Health recommends all babies are fed only on breastmilk for the first six months of life. This means no water, infant formula or fruit juices. After six months you can slowly start your baby on solid foods and other fluids, while you keep breastfeeding.

• The skin-to-skin contact helps you to bond with your baby.
• Breastfeeding helps your uterus to return to its pre-pregnancy size.
• Breastfeeding reduces the risk of pre-menopausal breast cancer.
• Breastfeeding may reduce the risk of ovarian cancer, osteoporosis and hip fracture later in life.
• Breastfeeding may help you to lose the weight gained during pregnancy.

If you are worried about your ability to breastfeed, please discuss your concerns with your LMC who may refer you to a lactation consultant.

Most term babies will wake for feeds between one and three hours in the early days.

Common infant hunger cues include:

• It is the only food that has exactly the right nutrition for your growing baby.
• It contains antibodies that help protect your baby from ear infections, gastroenteritis, respiratory infections, meningitis, urine infections, asthma and eczema.
• It is free, always fresh, exactly the right temperature and immediately available.
• It helps reduce the risk of obesity and may reduce the risk of diabetes in baby's later life.
• It decreases the risk of Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy (SUDI, also known as cot death).