The benefits of breastfeeding - for you *and* your baby - are huge. If you’re able to feed your little one yourself or express your milk, you’ll reap so many rewards.

1. Breast milk contains everything your newborn needs for the first few months of life. In fact, it’s make-up changes, to ensure your baby gets the fats, proteins and nutrients they need at just the right time.

2. The first milk you produce - colostrum - is a special brew just for newborns. It helps to prepare their digestive system for the liquid diet to come.

3. Breastfeeding is an amazing way of bonding with your baby. By bottle feeding expressed milk your partner enjoy quality time with your little one, too.

4. Mothers who breastfeed are less likely to develop post-partum depression. Way to beat the blues!

5. Breastfed bubbas have a lower risk of tonnes of nasty infections, from respiratory illnesses to diarrhoea. Breast milk contains all sorts of vitamins and minerals and antibodies that fight disease. Fewer trips to the doctors has got to be a good thing!

6. Babies who drink breast milk also have a reduced risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

7. Premature babies are less likely to get bowel disorders if they’re fed mother’s milk.

8. As they grow, breastfed children are less prone to leukaemia, diabetes and gut health problems.

9. Mums who are able to breastfeed have a reduced risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, arthritis and heart disease.

10. Your cancer risk will go down too. Women who breastfeed are less likely to develop ovarian and breast cancer.

11. Tonnes of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids are found in breast milk. They’re brilliant for brains and will boost your baby’s mental development and long-term behavioural learning. 

12. Babies who are breastfed for at least 4 months are more likely to maintain a healthy weight and avoid childhood obesity. 

13. On the way to weaning? The taste of breast milk changes over time, introducing your baby to new flavours and developing their palette before they move on to solids.

14. Some people believe that breastfeeding helps you shed your pregnancy pounds. While its weight loss abilities are still up for debate, breastfeeding will help your uterus to return to its pre-pregnancy size. 

15. Breastfeeding is super convenient. Once you find your confidence, you can do it anywhere, anytime. And you won’t need to sterilise so many bottles or warm up formula in the middle of the night.

16. Formula can be expensive, but breastfeeding cuts the cost of your weekly shop. Just remember to feed yourself a healthy diet in order to keep that milk coming through strong.

17. It pays to respect your mother. Breastmilk is planet-friendly, sustainable, local and plastic-free. Win. Win. Win.

18. Breast milk is the ultimate comfort food. Poorly babies might recover more quickly after a feed and a cuddle.

19. Bub got the sniffles? Your immune system will provide the antibodies to help them fight infections and share it with them via your milk.

20. Allergies, be gone! Breastfeeding after your baby has started on solids may help to prevent food allergies. Plus, breastmilk lowers their risk of asthma, allergic rhinitis and severe eczema.

21. Still no period? Breastfeeding can stop your periods from showing up for longer after birth. It’s by no means a failsafe method of contraception, but it might help to space your pregnancies out a little.