Staying Healthy

Breastfeeding is practical, free, can be discreet and is an amazing achievement to be proud of.  We hope you will be inspired by our wonderful stars.

• Breastfeeding gives baby the best start in life – breastfed babies have a lower chance of developing eczema, getting ear, chest and tummy bugs, being obese and developing diabetes when they are older.

• Mums who breastfeed have a lower risk of breast and ovarian cancer.  Breastfeeding also uses about 500 calories a day so many women who breastfeed say they find it easier to get back to their pre-pregnancy figure.

For more information go to the Be a Star website; it has information, advice, and blog pages where you can share information with other young mums.

Also, please see the NHS Start4Life and Breastfeeding websites for information and advice.

Breastfeeding is the healthiest start you can give your baby.  Breast milk is nutritionally balanced, with the perfect amount of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals to help your baby grow.  It contains antibodies that help protect your baby from infection, and changes to suit the different needs of your baby as it grows.

Breastfeeding is the completely natural way to feed your baby.  It has short term and long term benefits for both mother and child.

For mothers breastfeeding helps to:

• strengthen bones and prevent osteoporosis

• lower the risk of developing ovarian or breast cancer (1)

• increases the likelihood of returning to pre-pregnancy weight

• promotes closeness and bonding with your child

• AND the experience is very satisfying and relaxing.

If you are fully breastfeeding your baby (i.e. no water, no solids, no dummy, no formula) and your periods have not returned, it is still necessary to use an additional method of contraception to prevent pregnancy.  For more information on contraceptive methods, click here.

For babies, breastfeeding:

• protects against diarrhoea (2), gastroenteritis (3), ear and chest infections (2)

• reduces the risk of diabetes, eczema, asthma and improves digestive health

• lessens the risk of being an obese adult (4)

• has long-term benefits - babies who were breastfed experienced lower mean blood pressure and total cholesterol. (3)

• means their nappies are less smelly!

(Source NHS Choices)

The World Health Organisation recommends:

• Breastfeeding is the best form of nutrition for babies.

• Exclusive breastfeeding (i.e. no water, no formula, no solids) is recommended for the first 6 months (26 weeks) of a baby’s life, as it provides all the nutrients a baby needs.

• Six months is the recommended age for weaning babies onto solids.

• When weaning your baby, carry on breastfeeding beyond the first 6 months.

• For information on breastfeeding ask your health visitor, midwife or doctor.

• Mothers who are unable, or choose not, to breastfeed should discuss other options, with their midwife or GP, while pregnant.  It is important for mothers who do not breastfeed to get the support and information they need to make sure their baby gets the nutrition they need.

Information for parents 

As parents we make lots of important decisions for our children and the decision to breastfeed is one of the most important and has long lasting advantages for you both.

Information for grandparents – click here.

The From Bump to Breastfeeding DVD from Best Beginnings, following real mothers’ stories to find out how, is available to view or order here.

Breastfeeding tips:

• Always offer both breasts at each feed.

• No pain once breast feeding is established.  It has to feel right not just look right (to see pictures of how it should look and to prevent an incorrect latch position click here).  A certain amount of discomfort is not unusual at first when mother and baby are learning how to breastfeed.

• The stimulation of feeding increases the amount of milk produced – you will produce just the amount of breast milk that your baby needs, once breast feeding is established.

• Look for feeding cues before a baby starts to cry for a feed, they will be more receptive to feeding if they are not over hungry

• A baby with a wide open mouth is essential, with the tongue down, ready to latch on to the nipple (feeding position).

• Ensure the baby’s head is able to fall slightly backwards.

• The nipple is just a spout, therefore is should be the same shape at the end of the feed as at the beginning.  If it’s not, then your latching on position for the baby is not quite right.

• After the first few days, your baby should have at least six wet nappies a day and pass at least two yellow stools every day

• Breast milk can be frozen in the deep freeze for up to 6 months.

• When in doubt ask an expert – your midwife, health visitor or GP.

• Mums sometimes experience problems with breastfeeding, which are usually temporary and due to incorrect positioning or attachment.  These can be sorted out by making some simple changes without stopping breastfeeding.  For more information on positioning and attachment click here.

Vitamin D Deficiency

Vitamin D deficiency impairs the absorption of dietary calcium and phosphorus, which can give rise to bone problems such as rickets in children.

The following groups of people are at risk of vitamin D deficiency:

• All pregnant and breastfeeding women, especially teenagers and young women.

• Infants and young children under 5 years of age.

• Older people aged 65 years and over.

• People who have low or no exposure to the sun, for example those who cover their skin for cultural reasons, who are housebound or confined indoors for long periods.

• People who have darker skin, for example people of African, African-Caribbean and South Asian origin, because their bodies are not able to make as much vitamin D.

The Department of Health recommends that ALL pregnant and breastfeeding women should take a daily supplement containing 10 micrograms of vitamin D.  Babies born with low levels of vitamin D can sometimes develop softened bones, which can lead to rickets.  Taking vitamin D during pregnancy will ensure that your baby has enough stored in their body for the first few months of their life.

Women and children from families who are eligible for the Government’s Healthy Start scheme can get free vitamin supplements which include vitamin D, in the form of tablets for women and drops for children.

Breastfeeding Support in North Yorkshire and York

National

Local Breastfeeding Support

References:

1  World Cancer Research Fund (London,2007).  Food, nutrition, physical activity and the prevention of cancer: a global perspective.

2  Quigley MA, Kelly YJ, Sacker A (2007) Breastfeeding and hospitalisation for diarrhoea and respiratory infection in the UK millennium cohort study. Pediatrics 119: 837–842.

3  Horta B.L. et al (2007) Evidence on the long-term effects of breastfeeding. WHO 

4  Department of Health (2004).  Choosing a better diet: a food and health action plan. London: Department of Health

  Li L, Parsons TJ, Power C (2003) Breast feeding and obesity in childhood: cross sectional study. British Medical Journal 327: 904–905. Li et al. 2003;

  Michels KB, Willett WC, Graubard BI et al. (2007) A longitudinal study of infant feeding and obesity throughout life course. International Journal of Obesity 31: 1078–1085.).

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