Exclusively breastfeeding for around the first 6 months of your baby's life and then continuing once your baby starts solids until 12 months and beyond gives your baby the best start in life.
Breastmilk is free, fresh and requires no preparation. It is easy for your baby to digest, changes with your baby’s needs, and contains the nutrients your baby needs for around the first 6 months of life.
It is the greatest gift you can give your baby.
Find out about breastfeeding while you are still pregnant. Your midwife or other maternity carer or a breastfeeding support group can help you make an informed choice.
This page last reviewed 30 May 2022.
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Links
[1] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/tags/breastfeeding
[2] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/tags/nutrition-0-12-months
[3] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/node/2689
[4] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/node/2688
[5] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/node/2683
[6] http://file:///C:/Users/KatherineL/OneDrive%20-%20healthAlliance/Documents/01AAA_Website/Nutrition%20and%20obesity/2022/Mama_Aroha-instruction-A5.pdf
[7] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/node/2692
[8] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/node/2684
[9] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/node/2693
[10] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/eating-healthy-babies-and-toddlers
[11] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/babys-health-and-nutrition-0
[12] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/node/2042
[13] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/node/2685
[14] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/node/1455
[15] https://lalecheleague.org.nz/get-help/
[16] https://lalecheleague.org.nz/information/
[17] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/contact?from=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kidshealth.org.nz%2Fprint%2F1228