Breastfeeding

Benefits of breastfeeding for the mother include:

  • Reduces the risk of breast and ovarian cancer

  • Helps bonding between mother and child

  • Lowers long-term risk of type 2 diabetes

  • Saves money in milk formula costs (up to £600 per year)

Benefits of breastfeeding for the baby include:

  • Reduced incidence of infections – gastroenteritis, pneumonia and otitis media

  • Reduced incidence of obesity and diabetes in later life

  • Increased intelligence quotient (IQ) score

  • Reduced risk of developing asthma and eczema

  • Reduced risk of sudden infant death syndrome