Breastfeeding can be one of those tricky skills that for some mums comes straight away and for others, they battle through for weeks before having success.
Perseverance is important, particularly about three days after your baby is born when your breasts become firm and attachment is difficult.
But we recommend, as much as possible, to persevere and power through as the benefits for your own health and wellbeing are significant.
Breastfeeding benefits for mums
The essentials:
- It saves you time. There is no need to wash bottle and equipment, mix formula, create storage or wait for formula to hear.
- Less expensive. Naturally, your body doesn’t charge you to make breastmilk.
- Convenient. Don’t need worry about transporting equipment, storing milk safely or heating up formula.
The health side:
- Improve your wellbeing. Breastfeeding hormones help you relax and give you a feeling of overall wellbeing.
- Your organs return to their pre-pregnancy state more quickly when you breastfeed.
- Decreases health risks associated with osteoporosis and uterine cancer.
Breastfeeding has also been linked to lower rates of breast cancer.
If you have any breastfeeding concerns before or after your pregnancy, speak to your midwife or obstetrician who can recommend tips and resources to help you feel more confident breastfeeding.
