Breastfeeding benefits

Breastfeeding helps to strengthen the bond between mother and baby. Well established health benefits of breast milk for the baby include the following:

  • The prevention of infections such as meningitis, ear infections and gastrointestinal infections, all of which increase neonatal and infant deaths

  • Decreased risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)

  • Decreased incidence of asthma, childhood obesity and type 2 diabetes

Benefits for you as a breastfeeding mother include:

  • Decreased risk of breast and ovarian cancer, type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure

  • Promotes bonding with your baby

How we assist mothers with breastfeeding

We have implemented a number of measures to assist you with breastfeeding. These are aligned with guidance provided by the Mother Baby Friendly Initiative (MBFI) which promotes exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of a baby’s life, as there is substantial evidence that these measures significantly improve breastfeeding rates. The MBFI is an initiative of the World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) which together aim to reduce infant illnesses and death.

Trained nursing staff

Our nursing staff are trained and have the skills, knowledge and ability to guide you on breastfeeding.

Skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding initiation

After birth, if your and your baby’s condition is satisfactory, we will help you to have skin-to-skin contact with your baby, and support and guide you with latching and breastfeeding. If not, we will teach you how to express your breast milk, to initiate feeding when your baby is ready.

Rooming-in facilities

Spending time with your baby helps you to become familiar with your baby’s feeding cues. That’s why we offer and encourage 24 hour rooming-in with your baby.

Support groups

We will help you to find breastfeeding support before your discharge, so that help is at hand should you need it after you are back at home.

CHOOSING TO FORMULA FEED?

We respect a mother’s choice on whether to breastfeed or formula feed her baby, and will provide those who choose the latter option with education and advice on formula feeding.