The feeding question

Surgery Door provided a useful guide on pregnancy and parenting, from planning a pregnancy and ways to conceive to advice for men and details of antenatal classes.

It’s never too early to start thinking about how you’re going to feed your baby. Once your baby is born there will be lots to occupy you! You’ll need to discuss it with other people, the baby’s father, your midwife, health visitor or other mothers.  

Breastfeeding gives your baby the best possible start in life. Almost all women can breastfeed successfully though, as with all new skills, it may take some practice to get it right. If you have been told you cannot breastfeed or have tried but have not managed successfully, don’t feel guilty about it. Accept the situation for what it is and enjoy the different benefits of bottle feeding. Even if you don’t manage to breastfeed your first baby, it’s still worth a go with your next baby – many women succeed the second time around.

If you decide not to breastfeed, it’s important to know that it’s very difficult to change from bottle to breastfeeding. If you like, you can breastfeed your baby for a year or more, but you may decide to breastfeed for a shorter time (if for example you are returning to work) and then change to bottle feeding.

The following information should help you decide what’s best for you and your baby.

If you’re HIV positive you will be advised not to breastfeed because of the risk of passing the virus on to your baby through the milk. It is a good idea to discuss this with your midwife or doctor.

Information provided by Health Promotion England.