World Breastfeeding Week August 1 — August 7 2022

Advice and Information - 29 July 2022

World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated every year across the world from August 1 — August 7. This global campaign aims to raise awareness about breastfeeding and its advantages.

What are the benefits of breastfeeding?

According to the NHS, breastfeeding has long-term benefits for mothers and their babies, lasting right into adulthood. Any amount of breast milk has a positive effect, the longer the duration of breastfeeding, the longer the protection lasts and the greater the benefits.

Breastfeeding can help to reduce your baby's risk of:

  • infections, with fewer visits to hospital as a result
  • diarrhea and vomiting, with fewer visits to hospital as a result
  • sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
  • obesity
  • cardiovascular disease in adulthood

Breastfeeding lowers your risk of:

  • breast cancer
  • ovarian cancer
  • osteoporosis (weak bones)
  • cardiovascular disease
  • obesity

Further information, advice and support

For confidential information and support call the National Breastfeeding Helpline on 0300 100 0212 lines are open 9.30am – 9.30pm every day.

NHS guidance on how to breast feed: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/breastfeeding-and-bottle-feeding/breastfeeding/

NHS information related to breast feeding in the first few days: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/breastfeeding-and-bottle-feeding/breastfeeding/the-first-few-days/

NHS breastfeeding information and advice: https://www.nhs.uk/start4life/baby/feeding-your-baby/breastfeeding/

Sheffield’s Family Centres and Early Years Services. These teams are committed to enabling and supporting expectant parents, babies, children and their families to have a great start in life by providing many services such as breastfeeding groups, support and advice: https://www.sheffield.gov.uk/schools-childcare/family-centres

Breastfeeding in Sheffield. This site provides information on local support groups, advice and resources: https://www.breastfeedinginsheffield.co.uk/

Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust: https://www.sheffieldchildrens.nhs.uk/services/health-visiting/feeding/

La Leche League Sheffield. This is a group offering mother to mother breastfeeding support in Sheffield and the surrounding area: https://lalecheleaguesheffield.wordpress.com/

Local breastfeeding groups. Visit Eventbrite for details of breastfeeding groups local to you: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--sheffield/breastfeeding-group

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