World Breastfeeding Week August 1 — August 7 2022
What are the benefits of breastfeeding?
According to the NHS, breastfeeding has long-term benefits for mothers and their babies, lasting right into adulthood. Any amount of breast milk has a positive effect, the longer the duration of breastfeeding, the longer the protection lasts and the greater the benefits.
Breastfeeding can help to reduce your baby's risk of:
- infections, with fewer visits to hospital as a result
- diarrhea and vomiting, with fewer visits to hospital as a result
- sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
- obesity
- cardiovascular disease in adulthood
Breastfeeding lowers your risk of:
- breast cancer
- ovarian cancer
- osteoporosis (weak bones)
- cardiovascular disease
- obesity
Further information, advice and support
For confidential information and support call the National Breastfeeding Helpline on 0300 100 0212 lines are open 9.30am – 9.30pm every day.
NHS guidance on how to breast feed: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/breastfeeding-and-bottle-feeding/breastfeeding/
NHS information related to breast feeding in the first few days: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/breastfeeding-and-bottle-feeding/breastfeeding/the-first-few-days/
NHS breastfeeding information and advice: https://www.nhs.uk/start4life/baby/feeding-your-baby/breastfeeding/
Sheffield’s Family Centres and Early Years Services. These teams are committed to enabling and supporting expectant parents, babies, children and their families to have a great start in life by providing many services such as breastfeeding groups, support and advice: https://www.sheffield.gov.uk/schools-childcare/family-centres
Breastfeeding in Sheffield. This site provides information on local support groups, advice and resources: https://www.breastfeedinginsheffield.co.uk/
Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust: https://www.sheffieldchildrens.nhs.uk/services/health-visiting/feeding/
La Leche League Sheffield. This is a group offering mother to mother breastfeeding support in Sheffield and the surrounding area: https://lalecheleaguesheffield.wordpress.com/
Local breastfeeding groups. Visit Eventbrite for details of breastfeeding groups local to you: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--sheffield/breastfeeding-group
