World Health Organisation (2017). Evidence on the long-term effects of breastfeeding: systematic review and meta-analyses. Available at: https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/43623 (Accessed July 2021).NHS choices, 2017. Available: https://www.nhs.uk/baby/breastfeeding-and-bottle-feeding/breastfeeding/benefits/ (Accessed July 2021)Horta, B. & Victoria, C. (2013) Long-term effects of breastfeeding: a systematic review. World Health Organisation. Available: http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/79198/1/9789241505307_eng.pdf (Accessed July 2021)World Health Organization [WHO]. 54th World Health Assembly. Global Strategy for Infant and Young Child Feeding: The optimal duration of exclusive breastfeeding. Geneva: WHO, 2001. (Accessed July 2021)Department of Health [DOH]. Infant Feeding Recommendations. 264898 1p 70k. London: DH, 2004BFI. Best Practice in Maternity Services: Step 3. 2006. http://www.babyfriendly.org.uk/page.asp?page=63 (Accessed July 2021)Breastfeeding: The first few days, NHS. Available at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/breastfeeding-and-bottle-feeding/breastfeeding/the-first-few-days/. (Accessed July 2021)

Breastfeeding: Support, Benefits and Resources

Overview

When it comes to nurturing infants in early life, breast milk is the gold standard and is the optimal source of baby nutrition¹. The benefits of breastfeeding are numerous, it contains the essential nutrients infants need for healthy growth and development¹, and breastfeeding is associated with many nutritive and non-nutritive benefits² including:

Providing a greater protection from infection and disease for infant³
Helping to build a strong emotional bond between mum and infant³
Reducing the risk of obesity, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes later in life for infant³
Reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancer for mum³

The benefits of breastfeeding are both long and short term for mother and infants and is therefore a focus for public health. The Department of health (DOH) and World health organisation (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life and this should be continued into weaning^4,5.

The healthcare professional’s role in breastfeeding support

Parents may require some advice and support with breastfeeding and would often seek this help from their healthcare professional as early as their antenatal period, this is a good time to begin support and fathers can also be involved. They should be informed of the benefits of breast milk as well as information on how to breastfeed and where to go to seek help if required⁶. This will help build parents confidence when they start breastfeeding⁷.

Breastfeeding resources for healthcare professionals and parents

Downloadable tools for parents

How to breastfeed a baby: A downloadable help-sheet in 8 languages
Responsive feeding and early childhood development: A downloadable help-sheet for parents

Video resources

Human Milk Oligosaccharides: An educational video for healthcare professionals

CPD accredited Webinar – View on demand

Breastfeeding and immunity

Download the factsheet

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IMPORTANT NOTICE:

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has recommended that pregnant women and new mothers be informed on the benefits and superiority of breastfeeding – in particular the fact that it provides the best nutrition and protection from illness for babies. Mothers should be given guidance on the preparation for, and maintenance of, lactation, with special emphasis on the importance of a well-balanced diet both during pregnancy and after delivery. Unnecessary introduction of partial bottle-feeding or other foods and drinks should be discouraged since it will have a negative effect on breastfeeding. Similarly, mothers should be warned of the difficulty of reversing a decision not to breastfeed. Before advising a mother to use an infant formula, she should be advised of the social and financial implications of her decision: for example, if a baby is exclusively bottle-fed, more than one can (400 g) per week will be needed, so the family circumstances and costs should be kept in mind. Mothers should be reminded that breast milk is not only the best, but also the most economical food for babies. If a decision to use an infant formula is taken, it is important to give instructions on correct preparation methods, emphasising that unboiled water, unsterilised bottles or incorrect dilution can all lead to illness.

Breastfeeding Support: A list of our top 5 breastfeeding resources to celebrate World Breastfeeding week

Overview

The healthcare professional’s role in breastfeeding support

Breastfeeding resources for healthcare professionals and parents

Downloadable tools for parents

Video resources

CPD accredited Webinar – View on demand

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

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Breastfeeding Support: A list of our top 5 breastfeeding resources to celebrate World Breastfeeding week

Overview

The healthcare professional’s role in breastfeeding support

Breastfeeding resources for healthcare professionals and parents

Downloadable tools for parents

Video resources

CPD accredited Webinar – View on demand

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

ARE YOU A HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL?