Breastfeeding

The first 12 months of a child’s life is a time of rapid growth and development. Optimal infant nutrition is provided through exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months. By six months, baby is ready for the introduction of appropriate solid food and this, in addition to continued breastfeeding until at least 12 months, is ideal for normal physical growth and development.

There are huge benefits for mums who choose to breastfeed their baby:

• Breastfeeding is a free, clean, and easy way to feed your baby
• Breastfed babies have a lower risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
• Breastmilk meets all your baby’s nutritional needs for the first six months
• Breastfed babies have better jaw development which leads to better speech development
• Breastfed babies have a lower risk of developing a range of illnesses and chronic diseases throughout infancy, childhood and adult life, including gastrointestinal illness, asthma, eczema obesity and diabetes
• Breastfeeding lowers the risk of developing breast cancer

Mums who breastfeed return to their ‘pre-baby’ shape much faster!

It’s important to look after yourself and maintain a healthy diet if you are breastfeeding. Ensure you include good sources of:

• Protein (lean meats, chicken, eggs and legumes)
• Fish (salmon, tuna and sardines)
• Carbohydrates (wholegrain bread, brown rice and cereals)
• Calcium (low fat dairy, nuts and green leafy vegetables)
• Fluids, especially water

If you need help

There are two types of support agencies – health professionals or self-help groups.

The first support person to turn to is your local Child and Family Health Nurse which is a free service. You can also contact our Tresillian Tresillian Parent's Help Line or your local Doctor for advice and further reassurance.

Or you may want to share your experiences with other mums and contact the Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA) which is run by breastfeeding mums. They offer a telephone counselling service along with area-based discussion groups for breastfeeding mothers.

For more information:

Download the Tresillian brochure outlining some helpful tips on breastfeeding or contact:

Australian Breastfeeding Association

Ph: 1800 686 2 686
Website: www.breastfeeding.asn.au

Prescription drugs and Breastfeeding

This site provides a fully referenced database of drugs and the possible effects on breastfed infants and on lactation, and alternate drugs to consider.
Website: http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/htmlgen?LACT