Baby’s health and nutrition
You may be worried your baby might not get all the nutrients they need from your breast milk – or maybe someone’s told you your milk might not be ‘good enough’.
Find out the facts, and remember – breast milk is always perfect for baby.
The milk that I have when I start breastfeeding looks very watery, is it still okay to feed my baby with this?Yes! People sometimes tell mothers that their breast milk may not be ‘strong enough’. This is never true.
In this section
- You may have been told breast milk doesn’t give your baby enough iron – this isn’t true. Even if you’re low on iron, baby will get enough, and the iron in breast milk is completely absorbed by baby. Read more
- You may be worried about the foods you eat affecting your baby. Find out about when you should avoid certain foods, and what to do if there are foods you don’t eat. Read more
- Exclusively breastfed babies don’t need extra fluids. Find out when to introduce other drinks for older or formula-fed babies. Read more
- Find out how to check your baby is gaining enough weight, and what to do if you’re worried. Read more
- Breastfeeding your baby provides them with a big boost to their body’s defence systems – but that doesn’t mean it’s a replacement for immunisation. Find out how breast milk helps protect your baby. Read more
Resources
Healthy Eating for Babies and Toddlers from Birth to 2 Years Old
Available on HealthEd.
Find out more from the Ministry
Page last updated: 07 December 2011
Twitter
Facebook