1. Breastfeeding your baby reduces your risk of developing osteoporosis, and some types of ovarian and breast cancers. The longer you breastfeed, the more you are protected.

2. Breastfeeding often saves money compared with formula feeding and it’s also environmentally friendly.

3. Breastfeeding, when going well, reduces the risk of postnatal depression and if you do develop PND, it is protective for your baby as they still have all the lovely interaction and skin contact breastfeeding brings.

4. Studies have claimed that if all babies in the UK were breastfed to their first birthday, there would be 53% fewer hospital admissions!

5. Breastfeeding reduces the risk of ear and chest infections.

6. Breastfed babies are less likely to suffer from eczema, asthma and food allergies.

7. Breastfeeding offers vital protection against diarrhoea, gastro-enteritis and tummy upsets.

8. Breastfeeding helps oral development and mouth formation, so helps to encourage straighter teeth and has a positive impact on speech development.

9. Though fortunately SIDS is very rare, breastfeeding does reduce the risk significantly.

10. Breastfed babies are often less fussy with food! Breast milk sometimes takes on the flavour of what the mother or parent has eaten which introduces a variety of tastes to baby even before they start on solids.

11. Breastfeeding reduces the risk of obesity, diabetes and heart disease, Crohn’s and Coeliac disease and some childhood cancers.

12. Breastfed children are statistically more likely to have a higher IQ than exclusively formula fed babies, even when adjusting for social and economic backgrounds. The longer you breastfeed for the more powerful the effect!