What is Breastfeeding?
Breastfeeding means giving your baby breast milk. This can be done directly from the breast or by expressing milk and feeding it through a bottle, syringe, cup, or tube. Some parents also use donor milk. However you choose to feed, every parent deserves support to breastfeed in the way that works best for them, for as long as they want.
The World Health Organization and UNICEF recommend that children initiate breastfeeding within the first hour of birth and be exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months of life, meaning no other foods or liquids are provided, including water. Infants should be breastfed on demand – that is as often as the child wants, day and night. No bottles, teats or pacifiers should be used. From the age of 6 months, children should begin eating safe and adequate complementary foods while continuing to breastfeed for up to two years of age or beyond.
We support every parent’s right to choose what is right for them and their baby. We also believe that access to evidence-based information and appropriate support is key to making sure that parents are aware of their feeding choices. You can find helpful guidance on breastfeeding in the first few days on the NHS website here.
Why Breastfeed?
Breastfeeding has many health benefits – for both the breastfeeding parent, and their baby.
Benefits for Babies
Breast milk is uniquely designed for babies. Its composition changes as your baby grows, giving them exactly what they need at every stage of development. It helps protect against illnesses and infections, reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and lowers the chance of obesity and heart disease later in life.
Benefits for Breastfeeding Parents
Breastfeeding also brings health benefits for mothers. It reduces the risk of breast and ovarian cancers, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, and heart disease, while also supporting a healthy weight.
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Benefits for the Environment
Breastfeeding is the most sustainable way to feed a baby. Unlike formula, it doesn’t create packaging waste, require plastic bottles, or contribute to carbon emissions.
Benefits for Businesses and the Economy
With fewer illnesses among breastfed babies, families often need less medical support, saving money for the NHS. For employers, supporting breastfeeding parents means fewer absences, higher staff satisfaction, and better staff retention.