Infant Feeding
Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is the best form of nutrition for your baby and has lots of benefits for you too.
For babies, breastfeeding helps to:
· protect against gastroenteritis and diarrhoea, urinary tract infection, ear infections and chest infections
· reduce the risk of diabetes or eczema
· make nappies less smelly
For mothers, breastfeeding helps to:
· strengthen bones
· reduce the risk of ovarian or breast cancer
· lose the weight gained during pregnancy more quickly
Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for the first six months (26 weeks) of an infant’s life as it provides all the nutrients a baby needs.
Breastfeeding can be very rewarding and a time to enjoy a real feeling of closeness. Babies get far more that just nutrition from a feed – they enjoy the cuddle, comfort and satisfaction of a full tummy.
Almost all women can breastfeed. It isn't always easy, but there are lots of places where you can get help and advice. Discuss it with your midwife or health visitor or visit one of the links below.
Coventry Infant Feeding Team
Coventry has a team of six Breastfeeding Peer Support Workers funded by the Coventry Health Improvement Programme (CHIP). They run friendly breastfeeding groups across the city and can also visit mums at home on a one-to-one basis.
The team also runs an infant feeding line. You can call or text them for support You can call or text them for support between 8.00am and 6.00pm Monday - Friday on 07904 984 620.
For further information, visit the Coventry City Council website
NHS Breastfeeding Guide
The NHS Choices website provides a comprehensive guide to breastfeeding with videos, practical tips and real life experiences. Whether you are still pregnant or already have your baby, it will answer all your questions about the benefits of breastfeeding, how to get started and how to overcome any problems. Please see link for the NHS Choices Planner
National Breastfeeding Helpline 0300 100 0212
Run by the Breastfeeding Network, this helpline provides support and information from other mothers who have all breastfed their own babies and who have received extensive training. The telephone service operates from 9.30am to 9.30pm every day of the year and Breastfeeding Supporters will also visit new mothers at home where possible.
Run by the Breastfeeding Network, this helpline provides support and information from other mothers who have all breastfed their own babies and who have received extensive training. The telephone service operates from 9.30am to 9.30pm every day of the year and Breastfeeding Supporters will also visit new mothers at home where possible.
You can find out more on www.nationalbreastfeedinghelpline.org.uk
Bottle Feeding
Some women may be unable to breastfeed for medical or practical reasons – for example if you have a blood-borne virus such as hepatitis B or HIV, or are taking certain types of medication, these can be passed to your baby through your breast milk. In these circumstances, bottle feeding your baby using formula milk will usually be recommended.
Do not give your baby cows’ milk to drink before the age of 12 months.
If you are bottle feeding your baby, it is still important that you eat a healthy, balanced diet, particularly during the first few months of parenthood. This will help you to cope when the demands of caring for your baby are high.
See NHS Choices Bottle Feeding page for further information.
Weaning
For the first six months, breast milk or formula milk provides all the nutrients and fluids that your baby needs.
Introducing solid food – or weaning – is not recommended before your baby is six months old because the digestive system and kidneys is not usually developed enough to deal with solid food.
You should continue to give your baby breast milk or formula milk alongside solid food until they are at least two years old.
Find out more about weaning on the weaning section of NHS Choices
The NHS Choices website provides a comprehensive guide to breastfeeding with videos, practical tips and real life experiences. Whether you are still pregnant or already have your baby, it will answer all your questions about the benefits of breastfeeding, how to get started and how to overcome any problems.
Start4Life
Start4Life brings together all the latest news and advice on nutrition and activity to help you build healthy habits for your baby. It offers tips on breastfeeding and introducing your baby to solids, as well as ideas for active play.
Start4Life brings together all the latest news and advice on nutrition and activity to help you build healthy habits for your baby. It offers tips on breastfeeding and introducing your baby to solids, as well as ideas for active play.
The Start4Life website has lots of helpful information
Get a Healthy Start
The Healthy Start scheme provides vouchers which can be used to buy milk, fruit, vegetables and infant formula. It also provides free vitamins for mothers and their children.
For more information or to find out if you qualify for the scheme, speak to your midwife, health visitor or practice nurse, or visit www.healthystart.nhs.uk