As each baby grows, mother's breasts produce milk which changes in volume and composition to meet the baby's changing needs. Breast milk also provides protection. Breastfed babies are much less likely to get gastrointestinal infections, and if they do, the infection will not be as serious as it would have been without breast milk. Breastfed babies will also have some protection against conditions like juvenile diabetes, some childhood cancers and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Research has confirmed that even in developed countries babies that are breastfed are much less likely to be hospitalised in their first two years of life.
Breast milk is an important factor in promoting the best possible development of babies.
It is well recognised that breastfed babies have better development of their eyesight and speech. The long chain fatty acids uniquely available in breast milk give babies a measurable advantage in intelligence. Breastfeeding is as natural a part of life as pregnancy. Everyone accepts that women need a partner's support through pregnancy. This support needs to continue into breastfeeding.