Breastmilk is perfect for your baby, covering all the nutritional needs, and it changes as your baby develops, so there is no risk of it being nutritionally 'incorrect' for your baby.The health of your breast milk is dependant on your own health and nutritional intake. There are other health benefits for both you and your baby, as far as breastfeeding goes. Your child is less likely to become sick from illnesses that affect the ears, bowels and lungs. Breastfeeding helps prevent obesity, allergies and diabetes ilater on in your child's life.
In the short-term, breastmilk prevents severe cases of diarrhoea. There are benefits for mothers too. It reduces the incidences of certain cancers and may prevent hip fractures in later life. The hormones that are produced from breastfeeding also help your body return to normal quicker after pregnancy.
Most experts agree that you should feed your child exclusively with breast milk for at least the first six months and then gradually introduce solid foods. Breastfeeding can continue, with solid food supplementing nutritional intake, from six months onwards. If breastfeeding is problematic at the beginning, or becomes a problem, seek help from the nurses in your hospital, your local health nurse or one of many breastfeeding support groups around the country.
(Article amended following comments below and from other community members).
