Ive been breastfeeding Jet for just over 9 months now! Breast milk is the most complete form of nutrition for babies. A mother's milk has just the right amount of fat, sugar, water, and protein that is needed for a baby's growth and development. Most babies find it easier to digest breast milk than they do formula. The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends that babies are breastfed exclusively for their first 6 months & that breastmilk be a part of their diet until at least two years of age. I plan on breastfeeding Jet until he is two!!!
There are so many benefits of breastfeeding, it protects your baby from illness and infection, provides the best food & nutrition for your growing baby, aids the development of your baby's eyesight, speech and intelligence as well as promoting that special loving bond between mother and baby.
Babies who are not breastfed have a higher risk of cot death & increased likelihood of allergy not to mention cost a whole lot more, infant formula, bottles, teats, sterilisers, none of those are cheap. Babies that aren't breastfed are also more likely to fall ill, costing more to the family and the community in medical bills. The production of formula also has an environmental impact in terms of fuel, energy and resources needed in production.
(these facts are taken from the Australian Breastfeeding Association website)
Visit the Australian Breastfeeding Association for lots of fantastic info on breastfeeding.
