Health benefits of breastfeeding babies
Date published:
Support for breastfeeding mums
Breastfeeding isn’t just a one-person task. It’s the mums who feed, but fathers, partners, families, workplaces, and communities can show their support.
That support includes:
- encouraging a partner, friend, sister, or daughter who is feeding
- bringing them a drink
- preparing meals
- doing housework
- protecting them from others’ negativity towards breastfeeding
These things all mean a lot to a mum who can then get on with feeding their baby.
Breastfeeding in public
For many mums, getting started isn’t easy and that’s why support is crucial.
This includes making mums feel more comfortable about feeding in public.
The 'Breastfeeding Welcome Here' scheme aims to help mums feel more comfortable about feeding their baby in public.
You can find a list and map of 'Breastfeeding Welcome Here' places, along with other advice about breastfeeding, on the Breastfed Babies website.
Benefits of breastfeeding
Antibodies in breast milk help protect babies from infection and other illnesses.
Mums who breastfeed are at a statistically lower risk of developing:
- breast cancer
- ovarian cancer
- osteoporosis (bone thinning)
- type 2 diabetes
You can find out more on the breastfeeding page.