Hywel Dda Health Board 'Healthy Wednesday' call to mums

Press release from Hywel Dda Health Board:

This Healthy Wednesday we are encouraging mums to benefit themselves and their babies by breastfeeding.
Breastfeeding is the healthiest way to feed your baby.

Breastfed babies have:

• less chance of diarrhoea and vomiting and having to go to hospital as a result 
• fewer chest and ear infections and having to go to hospital as a result 
• less chance of being constipated 
• less likelihood of becoming obese and therefore developing type 2 diabetes and other illnesses later in life 
• less chance of developing eczema 

Hywel Dda Health Board has pledged to double the numbers of mothers’ breastfeeding their babies from birth up to the age of six months over the next five years.
Rhian Walters, Infant Feeding Co-ordinator for Hywel Dda Health Board, said: “Any amount of breastfeeding has a positive effect. The longer you breastfeed, the longer the protection lasts and the greater the benefits. Breastfeeding doesn’t only benefit your baby. It benefits mum’s health too.”
Breastfeeding is good for mums as it:

• lowers your risk of getting breast and ovarian cancer 
• naturally uses up to 500 calories a day 
• reduces the risk of postnatal depression 
• saves money – infant formula, the sterilising equipment and feeding equipment can be costly 
• Helps build a strong bond between you and your baby 

For more information on breastfeeding go to www.hywelddahb.wales.nhs.uk/10pledges for more simple tips on staying healthy go to www.hywelddahb.wales.nhs.uk/healthy-wednesday