The maternity unit at St Helier Hospital encourages breastfeeding as there are many health benefits to both you and your baby.
Practical advice and help is available from the staff within the unit on all aspects of infant feeding.
If you have any questions or anxieties, please speak to your midwife at your antenatal check-ups, at parent education classes, or on the maternity ward.
Advantages of breastfeeding
For your baby
Helps protect infections, particularly:
Optimal growth and development
Helps against disease such as:
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Asthma and eczema (especially if family history)
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Lower risk of childhood diabetes
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Necrotising Enterocolitis – this life threatening condition, which occurs mainly in premature babies, is much less frequent if the baby is given only breast milk
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Childhood leukaemia
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Cot death
For you
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Lowers risk of ovarian cancer
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Lowers risk of breast cancer
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Lowers risk of Osteoporosis which means stronger bones later in life
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Reduces post natal depression
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It uses up the fat you have stored during pregnancy and helps you return to your pre maternal size!
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Helps your uterus to contract more quickly and return to its normal size
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It is cheaper than formula feeding and it is less work as you don’t have to make up feeds, sterilize bottles and teats etc!
To find further information on breastfeeding you can ask your midwife or health visitor. In addition, you are invited to attend classes that cover infant feeding.
We are also very fortunate at both Epsom and St Helier hospitals to have the support of the local NCT La Leche League, peer counsellors, who are very happy to advise you
On discharge postnatally you will be given leaflets with details of the breastfeeding clinics, baby cafés and contact numbers for extra support if you need it.
