Breast is best, but not for everyone

Breastfeeding is natural and normal and gives your baby the best start.

The Department of Health recommends exclusively breastfeeding for the first six months of life and says it can continue to benefit your baby, along with solid foods, for many months after. Every day you breast feed makes a difference to your baby's health now and in the future.

Breastmilk gives babies all the nutrients they need for the first six months of life and helps protect them from infection and diseases. It also reduces mothers' chances of getting certain diseases later in life.

Breastfeeding also allows you and your baby to get closer – physically and emotionally. So while your child is feeding, the bond between you can grow stronger.

Bottle-feeding does not give your baby the same ingredients as breastmilk, which is easy for your baby to absorb and is perfect to help him grow and develop. Also, bottle feeding doesn't provide protection against infection and diseases.

The Department of Health says breastfeeding helps protect your baby against:

Ear infections;

Gastro-intestinal infections;

Chest infections;

Urine infections;

Childhood diabetes;

Eczema;

Obesity;

Asthma.

Breastfeeding helps protect mothers against:

Ovarian cancer;

Breast cancer;

Weak bones later in life.

Women who breastfeed return to their pre-pregnancy figure faster.

It's natural to have questions or need some extra support to breastfeed successfully. You can speak to your midwife, health visitor or GP. Or you can call one of the helplines mentioned below.

Paul Charlson, GP from Brough

There is plenty of support out there for mothers-to-be and first-time mothers. The NHS provides excellent back-up in the form of midwives and health visitors and these are always a good place to start with questions. If they

cannot help you themselves, they will know of local services that you will be able to access.

There is always the internet. Try these sites www.breastfeedingsupport.co.uk and www.breastfeeding.nhs.uk. They will help you to link to other services and information.

I do not think you should be too fixed on a particular type of birth. The key is the safest and most appropriate for you and your baby. Professional advice is generally non-biased these days. You will then be able to make sensible informed choices on the basis of this advice.

Breastfeeding is a good thing but it does not always work out and I have seen the odd starving miserable baby as a result of a mother's determination to continue breastfeeding when it was not working out.

Elaine Douglas, A chartered psychologist who specialises in family and child relationships

If it is your first baby then I can understand why your husband is a little anxious and would prefer you to have a hospital birth. First babies can be a little unpredictable and having all the resources you need to hand does make sense. If your husband is with you throughout the birth, then it will be an experience that you can share and cherish together.

On the breastfeeding front, I can see why you would like to do this. During breastfeeding we pass on antibodies that will help our baby to develop a strong immune system – and as you say, it is the natural way of doing things. Just because your mum had problems doesn't mean that you will have, too. There is an organisation that could help you on this one, the National Childbirth Trust. They have a website (www.nctpregnancyandbaby care.com) and regional offices. However, for some women breastfeeding just doesn't work. This may or may not happen to you, but if it does, then please don't worry about it.

Cary Cooper, Professor of Organisational Psychology and Health at Lancaster University

I think you need to do what feels right for you, not what feels right to your mum! You can get all the support from the midwife, health visitors and the like, there are plenty around. I am sure one of my colleagues on this panel will be able to give you the specifics of where help is available. You will have the support of the follow-up team of health visitors and nurses in any case, who will support and provide you with advice postnatally, so there is no problem there. I suspect your mother will come through for you when the time comes in any event, if she realises how important breastfeeding is to you. It is "your" needs which are important, both during your pregnancy and just after the birth. For a harmonious relationship between you and the baby to thrive, you need to do what feels right to you.

Dr Carol Burniston, Consultant Clinical Child Psychologist

It is a wonderful experience to be able to breastfeed your baby and a healthy and convenient option for those who are successful. There are few downsides, but be prepared for some initial discomfort and try to persevere. Sometimes a friend who has previously been able to feed their own baby can be a useful support.

There are some useful support groups such as the National Childbirth Trust which can provide good social and practical support for new mums in a general sense. They also have a breastfeeding helpline on 0300 330 0771. The La Leche league specialises in supporting breastfeeding mothers: www.laleche.org.uk or telephone 0845 120 2918. Talk to your health visitor and read what you can on breastfeeding so that you are well prepared.

Most mums can achieve what they want if they persist, but please don't feel like a failure if you don't manage to feed your baby, they will be fine in the long run.

Useful Contacts

National Breastfeeding Helpline: Operated by the Association of Breastfeeding Mothers and The Breastfeeding Network, tel 0300 100 0212.

La Leche League: tel. 0845 120 2918.

National Childbirth Trust: tel 0870 444 8708.

The Breastfeeding Network: breastfeeding support in Bengali

and Sylhetti, tel 0300 456 2421.