Women through all generations have breastfed their babies - it is the natural food designed especially for human babies.
We all know the advantages of breastmilk for babies, but did you know that the best way to feed is to give breastmilk only and nothing else for the first six months?
Breastmilk has everything that the baby needs and babies getting breastmilk only have the lowest risk of getting illnesses like diarrhoea and pneumonia.
Giving water, tea, juice, formula, cereals or anything else with breastmilk before six months increases the risk that the baby will get these illnesses.
So mothers who choose to exclusively breastfeed their babies for the first six months are doing the best thing that they can to help their babies grow and stay healthy.
Even for the woman who has HIV, the baby has very little chance of getting HIV from the breastmilk if she exclusively breastfeeds for the first six months.
Tips on being a successful breastfeeding mother
Did you know, milk is made in response to the baby suckling at the breast? The more the baby suckles the more milk is made.

• All breastfeeding mothers can make enough milk by feeding the baby often.
• Ask for your baby within half an hour of birth so he/she can start feeding early.
• Feed your baby often, on demand.
• Allow your baby to drink until satisfied on one breast before offering the second breast.

• protects the baby from diarrhoea, pneumonia, allergies and malnutrition.
• is clean, easy to digest, always available, always warm and free.

• helps the mother’s womb to contract quickly after delivery.
• helps the mother to lose weight gained in pregnancy.
• helps to prevent another pregnancy happening too soon.
• helps to protect the mother from breast cancer. NEXT ISSUE Making enough milk for six months’ exclusive breastfeeding.