goodness of breastfeeding

Nurturing a naturally close bond

Breastfeeding is a beautiful thing. It provides the child in your arms with all the goodness needed to get off to a wonderful start in life. You and your baby are inseparably close while you're breastfeeding. Your child not only receives the required nourishment of the body, but also senses your love, protection and caring. These precious moments create a bond that will last a lifetime.

Benefits for you and your baby

Your baby will grow happy and healthy

  • It provides everything your baby needs for healthy growth and development.
  • It promotes good immune system development, protecting against.
  • It is easy to digest and decreases the incidence of colic and diarrhoea.
  • It reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
  • It promotes healthy mental development.
  • It can help prevent lifestyle diseases such as obesity and diabetes.

Mom, you’ll have your benefits

  • You can nourish your baby anytime and anywhere.
  • Lower risk of ovarian and breast cancer.
  • Lower risk of osteoporosis.

Breastfeeding? Don’t forget to...

While you are breastfeeding, your breast milk is your baby’s source of nourishment. This means your baby will be affected by what you eat. That’s why it’s important for you to eat a healthy and nourishing diet while you’re breastfeeding. Because what’s good for you is good for your baby – like mother, like child. 

  • Follow a healthy diet.
  • Drink plenty of water and tea, avoid alcohol, coffee and fizzy drinks.
  • Eat wholesome foods that are easy to digest and cut out spicy foods.
  • Eat meat, milk and dairy products to prevent anemia and calcium deficiency.
  • If you’re a vegetarian, try to include milk and dairy products in your diet.
  • Do not smoke.

How often should I feed my baby?

Breastfeeding will keep you pretty busy during the first weeks of your infant's young life. The general rule of thumb is that when your baby's hungry, he or she expects to be fed right away. Who says babies aren't demanding?

Also good to remember

  • Avoid reducing the frequency of breastfeeding during the first weeks of life.
  • Newborn babies can feed 12 to 15 times a day!
  • Let your baby breastfeed whenever they want.
  • Frequent breastfeeding also stimulates breast milk production.

How long should I breastfeed?

The World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding for at least six months. Your baby will, however, need supplementary nutrition from six months of age:

  • Breast milk will no longer be enough for your baby from the age of about six months.
  • You will need to gradually begin adding solid foods such as vegetables, meats and fruits, infant cereals and other baby food products.

While breastfeeding has a world of benefits, it can also be stressful for you as a mum. If you feel stressed or concerned about breastfeeding, don’t worry because you are not alone.

Try to breastfeed in comfortable and calm surroundings. Another very important thing is for you to get enough sleep and take care of yourself. While it might seem difficult right now, you will look back on your time breastfeeding as a wonderful period when you and your child nourished the unbreakable bond of love. Many new mums find the prospect of breastfeeding daunting. It’s important to just relax and ease into it. Give it time.