Helplines:- - NHS North West

Helplines:-Association of Breast Feeding Motherswww.abm.me.uk08444 122949National Childbirth Trustwww.nct.org.ukInfant feeding Co-ordinator0151 290 4166Children's Centres In St. Helens:-Four Ways Children's Centre - 01744 678026Haydock Children's Centre - 01744 678334Moss Bank Children's Centre - 01744 672020Newton-le-Willows Children's Centre - 01744 672036Parr Children's Centre - 01744 614340Sure Start Central Link - 01744 25868Sutton Children's Centre - 01744 822160Thatto Heath Children's Centre - 01744 678373Why Breastfeeding Is BestGet CloserFEEDING YOUR BABY: THE MYTHSBREAST OR BOTTLE?Whats the difference?WHAT WILL SUIT ME?REAL LIFE STORIES!See Inside!Other booklets available in this seriesFeeling confused?Understand the factsFor friendly, practical adviceplease contact your communitymidwife, health visitor or localPeer Counsellors, call your localChildren’s Centre or01744 697432

IntroductionThis is the first in a series of booklets designed to helpyou separate the facts from the common myths oftenassociated with feeding your baby.This booklet will cover the main differencesbetween breast and bottle feeding so that you canmake a clearer choice about how to feed your babyBottle or Breast-which is best?1.Bottle or Breast-what is the difference ?Check it out then you decide!Bottle milk• Is expensive• Takes time and skill to prepare one at a time• Is processed cows milk• Does not burn off your body fat• No evidence that it helps brain development inbabies• Does not protect against infections• May cause allergies• May increase the risk of childhood obesityBreast milk• Is free• Is ready prepared• Is ideal for humans• Uses up lots of calories-the natural way for youto lose weight• Helps brain development in babies• Helps protect from infection- less chance ofgastroenteritis• Is non-allergenic• Reduces the risk of childhood obesity2.

Real StoryReal life stories“I was nervous about breastfeeding to begin withbecause my boobs had always been for mine and myboyfriend’s eyes only but after my baby was born, Iquickly found out that breastfeeding doesn’t mean thatI had to flash my boobs at anyone else. I learnt how tolatch my baby on quickly and let my top fold downonto my baby’s cheek so nobody could see anything.It’s great to be able to feed my baby anytime, anywherewithout having to pack a bag, warm milk up or carryanything around with me.Andrea, age 19, St HelensI suffer from a lot of allergies, eczema and asthma and Ihad read that breastfed babies are much less likely toget those things. That’s why I decided to breastfeed.I’m glad I did because my little boy is now 3 years oldand has never had any of them.Joanne, age 32, Newton le Willows”3.“Me and my boyfrienddon’t have that muchmoney so I breastfed inthe beginning to savemoney. I saved £500 inmy baby’s first year by notbuying any formula. Itwas really nice to knowthat my baby was gettingthe best milk that moneycan’t buy!Abi, age 22, EarlestownNobody else in my family has ever breastfed so it tooka lot of guts for me to tell my Mum that I was going togive breastfeeding a try. I think she was disappointedat first because she thought that I was criticising her forbottle feeding me. She said things like ‘formula wasgood enough for you’. Another thing was that shedidn’t want to miss out on feeding the baby. I stuckwith my decision though and it has worked out reallywell because once me and my baby had learnt how tobreastfeed, I started expressing my milk into a bottle sothat my Mum could feed my baby every now andagain. I’m happy I decided to breastfeed because Iknow that I’ve given my baby the best milk he canpossibly get.Leanne, age 20, BoldReal StoryReal Story4.Real Stories

Rachael from ClockfaceBreastfeeding diary...I didn’t have any friends who breast fed but I knewit was something I wanted to try. I bought myself afirm supporting bra.Can’t imagine my boobs will ever fit into these cups.1st DayBaby a bit sleepy today and I am a bit worried that she isnot getting enough milk. Midwife called and reassured methis is ok and to feed when the baby is hungry.2nd DayMy milk doesn’t look like milk. My midwife says that this isColostrum, the first milk and is just right and all that isneeded right now.4th DayStill feeding lots. My Midwife says it will get better. My baby’spoo is changing colour, I know this is normal and only theproof that the milk is nourishing the baby.5th DayFeeling lots better today. I’m getting to know why baby iscrying and enjoying lots of cuddles.6th DayMy boobs are full but not painful and we are getting into aroutine. Midwife says that baby is putting on weight and ifmy boobs are heavier before feeding than after this showsbaby is taking what she needs. Finding it easy to feed in themiddle of the night and baby doesn’t have to wait. Feelmore confident today and know I am going to carry on foras long as I can. I am so proud of myself.3rd DayBreasts feel very big and tense today. My midwife says this isnormal and won’t last. So glad I bought the support bra, itdoesn’t look great but feels comfy. Baby waking up for lotsof feeds today.Trying to get as much rest as possible. Don’t feel like gettingany food for myself, I need loads of support and hugs right now.Why don’t you give it a go?5.6.

MythsLegends“My gran says I haven’t got enough milk for my big babyboy. Sue from ParrThis is easy to solve. The more you feed the more milkyou’ll make! Sometimes when you’ve been extra busyyou’ll notice that your baby wants to feed more often andyou may think that your milk is dwindling- but your babyknows how to put that right- by feeding more often for aday or so he will increase your milk just by suckling.“Aunty Enid says because I’m on tablets I shouldn’tbreastfeed. Jane from NewtonRarely true. Very few medicines can’t be taken whenbreastfeeding- ask your midwife if yours are ok. Tell yourdoctor or the pharmacist that you’re breastfeeding beforetaking new tablets or medicine.“My partner’s Mum says he will be left out it I breastfeed.Kirsty from GarswoodOh no he won’t! Breastfeeding is a partnership- you needhis support. Dad can take over bathing- something yourbaby will really enjoy. They’ll both enjoy a stroll round the7.&”””park- while you have a well earned rest! After a feedbabies love to snuggle on dad’s warm chest.“My Mum says that bottle feeding was good enough for me,so why don’t I do it too. Karen from Thatto HeathWe now have a lot of evidence about how good breastmilk is compared to when your Mum had you. I’m surethat if your Mum had known about all the good things it’sgot in it, she would have done it too.I'm having twins so I can’t breastfeed. Becky from FingerpostTwo babies- two boobs! What could be easier thanfeeding two babies at once-and it takes half the time. Ofcourse, both your babies might not always be hungry atthe same time, but if they are there’s no queuing!My friend’s baby sleeps for hours after a bottle feed so itmust be better for him. Sophie from Town Centre”“ ”“”Babies have immature guts so if they have formula milktoo early their system takes a long time to digest it. It’s abit like after your Christmas dinner when you feel bloatedand full and need a nap to sleep it off.That’s fine at Christmas,but you wouldn’t want to feel likethat all the time. Breast milk is so easy to digest- that’swhy your baby will soon be back for more!8.

“Breastfeeding makes your boobs sag!Emma from CarmillPregnancy does that! Your body will prepare itself forbreastfeeding while you’re pregnant anyway- that’s whyyour boobs get bigger and you put on weight.That extrafat is ready to be used in milk- making as soon as yourbaby is born.So if you choose not to breastfeed, it justsort of stays there! And breastfeeding actually helps tokeep your boobs firmer while you’re feeding.“I’ve heard breastfeeding makes you really tired.Carly from Moss BankHaving a new baby will do that, no matter how youchoose to feed. But there will be fewer dirty nappies andof course, no bottles to make up,clean and sterilise.While feeding your baby you will have the ideal opportunityto sit down and rest. Instead of somebody else giving thebaby a bottle while you dash around doing thehousework, get that ‘somebody else’ to do it for you.“Formula milk is so good nowadays it's almost the same asbreast milk. Amy from Derbyshire HillNot true: formula milk is processed cows milk and is thesame in every bottle. Your milk is made for your baby andchanges from the beginning of the feed to the end, andfrom day to day.9.”””“I’d be embarrassed to breastfeed in front of other people!Toni from Broad OakIt’s true that some pictures of breastfeeding mums showthem practically stripped to the waist while feeding! Butdon’t worry; it doesn’t have to be like that. Once you’vegot the hang of it, it will be easy to slip you baby underyour t-shirt or top with confidence. You could even use ascarf or shawl draped over your shoulder- your babywon’t mind at all.“My boyfriend says you can only eat certain stuff if you’rebreastfeeding. Sara form Town Centre””It would be unusual for babies to be affected by foodscoming through their mothers milk-even alcohol inmoderation, especially if you have a drink after feeding sothat the levels are low for the next time. For women whosmoke less than 20 a day, it is still better to smoke andbreastfeed than to smoke and not breastfeed. (But, ofcourse you wouldn’t smoke in the same room as yourbaby).MythsLegends&10.