Be proud to breast feed – see below for some of the ways that breastfeeding makes a difference to both mothers and babies.

First feed
For baby: Helps to stabilise baby’s blood sugars and protect baby’s gut.
For mother: A great opportunity for the first skin-to-skin cuddle.

Day one
For baby: The antibodies in mother’s colostrum provide natural immunity from infection.
For mother: Helps womb contract to normal size.

Day two and three
For baby: Sticky black meconium is cleared more readily from baby’s bowel.
For mother: Instant relief for hot swollen breasts when your milk comes in.

Week one
For baby: Transition to world outside womb is eased.
For mother: Frequent feeds mean time to sit or lie down and for you to get to know each other.

Week two
B: Food and drink always ready at the right temperature adapting to the baby’s needs.
M: Hormones help you to get back to sleep after night feeds.

Week four
B: For premature babies, it lowers the risk of heart disease in later life.
M: Saves time sterilising and making up bottles.

Week six
B: Halves the risk of chest infections now and up to seven-years-old.
M: Breastfeeding is likely to be easier and you can go out and about without bottle-feeding equipment.

Month two
B: Lowers the risk of food allergy at three-years-old if breastfed only.
M: Reduced risk of ovarian cancer in later life.

Month three
B: Five times less likely to get diarrhoea now and a reduced risk for the whole year.
M: Fewer visits to the GP as baby is ill less often.

Month four
B: Half the risk of ear infection. Less risk of asthma now and protection continues for up to six years.
M: Feeling of empowerment at having been solely responsible for nourishing and sustaining your baby for up to four months.

Month five
B: Five times lower risk of urinary tract infection.
M: A lovely way to reconnect with your baby if you go to work.

Month six
B: Lower risk of eczema now and up to three years.
M: Less risk of osteoporosis in the long term.

Year one
B: Three times less risk of becoming obese by age six and a lower risk of heart disease as an adult.
M: No need to buy formula milk at all, saving at least £450 this year.

Year two
B: Likely to have higher average scores on intelligence tests.
M: Expect fewer visits to the orthodontist when your baby becomes a teenager. Risk of breast cancer reduced by eight percent.