When it comes to feeding your baby, Breast is Best. Mother's milk contains all the nutrients and antibodies a baby needs.

It comes at exactly the right temperature, is always available, sterile and free! Breastfeeding also strengthens the bonding process between mother and baby and releases a rush of endorphins in mum which can help prevent post-natal depression. Not only does breast milk make babies less likely to develop health problems in later life such as heart disease and diabetes, it also reduces the chance of allergies, asthma and cot death. Government guidelines now advise that babies are exclusively breastfed until the age of 6 months (26 weeks).

With all the factors in favour of breastfeeding, you'd think it would be the easiest thing in the world. Wrong! For some mothers breastfeeding really is a breeze but for others it's hard work. Their baby doesn't seem to latch on, falls asleep the minute it does and then never seems to get a good feed. And due to poor positioning, mother's nipples can feel as sensitive as a raw nerve. A good breastfeeding councillor, health visitor or midwife should be able to help with all of these problems and it's worth persevering.

Research has shown that breastfeeding helps protect your baby against:

• ear infections
• gastro-intestinal infections
• chest infections
• urine infections
• childhood diabetes
• eczema
• obesity
• asthma

Breastfeeding may also help protect mothers against:

• ovarian cancer
• breast cancer
• weak bones later in life.

Women who breastfeed often say that they return to their pre-pregnancy figure faster.

What position should you use to breastfeed your baby?

There are lots of different positions for breastfeeding and it's trial and error to find the most comfortable for you and your baby. You just need to check the following:

Are your baby's head and body in a straight line?
If not, your baby might not be able to swallow comfortably.

Are you holding your baby close to you?
Always support your baby's back, shoulders and neck. He should be able to tilt his head back easily, and he shouldn't have to 'reach out' to feed.

Is your baby's nose opposite your nipple?
Your baby needs to get a big mouthful of breast from underneath the nipple. Placing your baby with his nose level with your nipple will allow him to reach up and attach (latch on) to the breast well.

Are you comfortable?
It's OK to change your position slightly once your baby is attached to your breast. Bring your baby up to you, not you down to your baby or you may end up with a sore back and shoulders.

How should you attach your baby to your breast?

• Hold your baby close to you, with his nose level to your nipple.
• Wait until your baby opens his mouth really wide with the tongue down then quickly bring your baby even closer to your breast.
• Your baby will tilt his head back and come to your breast chin first. He should take a large mouthful of breast. Your nipple should go towards the roof of his mouth.

Signs that your baby is feeding well:

Your baby's chin is actually touching your breast

Your baby has a large mouthful of breast

It doesn't hurt you to feed (after the first few sucks)

If you can see the dark skin around your nipple, you should see more dark skin above your baby's top lip than below their bottom lip

Your baby's cheeks stay rounded during sucking

Your baby rhythmically takes long sucks and swallows. It is normal for him to pause sometimes

Your baby finishes the feed and comes off the breast on his own

How do you know that your baby is getting enough milk?

Your baby will seem contented and satisfied after most feeds

He should be healthy and gaining weight after the first two weeks

Your breasts and nipples should not be sore

After the first few days, your baby should have at least six wet nappies a day

He should also pass at least two yellow stools every day

Here are some great sites packed with breastfeeding advice which also tell you more about the benefits:

Baby Friendly - A unicef backed UK campaign to encourage breastfeeding, with lots of advice

NHS guide to Breastfeeding

National Childbirth Trust Breastfeeding Line - 0870 444 8708

La Leche League - Breastfeeding society offering support, info & advice

Tips Limited - Great advice from midwife and author Sharon Trotter.

Breastfeeding Network - Offers help to breastfeeding mums.

Breastfeeding Community.co.uk - Breastfeeding Community provides support through awareness and a website with a comprehensive list of support groups throughout the UK. They also publish a free magazine for new mums which peer support groups can also use to raise funds for themselves

Bottlefeeding
For some mothers breastfeeding isn't an option and don't beat yourself up if it doesn't work for you. For different reasons, breastfeeding is harder for some mums than others and babies can have medical conditions which make breastfeeding difficult.

The important thing is that a mother makes her own choice and is happy that her baby is feeding properly.

What's more, mums who have breastfed successfully for several months often introduce formula at some point or when they return to work, sometimes combining it with a breastfeed morning and night.

Other mums combine formula and breastmilk from the beginning or express their own milk so that fathers can take turns in feeding their babies. Either way, they will all be bottlefeeding!

Here is a brief list of things you will need:

• 6 Bottles and teats (anti-colic bottles are great for windy babies - we love Dr Brown's!)
• Sterilising facility - whether steam, microwave or chemical
• Bottle brush
• Formula Milk (never cow's milk as it can't be digested properly by babies and can cause an allergic reaction)
• Expressing pump (if bottle feeding breastmilk)
• Bibs are also very handy

Buying formula milk
When choosing formula for your baby, it is vital that you buy a recognised, government-approved brand. There are a number on the market to choose from including organic varieties and some babies prefer one brand of formula to another, especially if they are being weaned from the breast. It's worth talking to your health visitor or midwife if you are having trouble deciding which formula milk is right for your baby.

Formula milk is usually made from cow's milk with added vitamins, minerals and nutrients. The fat, salt and carbohydrate content of cow's milk is altered to suit babies' digestive systems, which is why babies should never be given (fresh) cow's milk until they are one-year-old. Some formula milk contains long chain fatty acids (LCPs) which are found in breastmilk and are believed to boost brain development.

Formula milk usually comes in powdered form and needs cooled boiled water to make up a feed. However, you can buy cartons of prepared sterile milk which are very handy if you are on the move.

Some babies are allergic to cow's milk and are lactose intolerant so there are specialist formulas which are prescribed following appropriate diagnosis of the problem. Talk to your doctor or health visitor for advice.

There are three main types of formula:

First Stage Formula Milk is for newborn babies and is more whey based, which means it is easier for very young babies to digest.

Second Stage Formula Milk is often described as being for "hungrier babies" because it is more curd based and takes longer to digest.

Follow-On Milk from 6 months onwards is made with added iron, which babies need at this stage as the body's stores begin to dry up.
N.B. There are also specialist formula milks for premature babies.

Making up a feed

• Firstly, wash your hands and ensure that all equipment has been sterilised and that surface areas are clean.
• Milk is a breeding ground for bacteria so to avoid your baby becoming ill it is essential that a feed is made up fresh each time using boiled water which has been allowed to cool for no longer than one hour. N.B. If you are on the go, put some just-boiled water into a sealed flask and use it to add to formula when needed.
• Make up the feed according to the manufacturer's instructions.
• Make sure you test the temperature of the milk by pouring a couple of drops on the inside of your wrist. If the milk is too hot, put the bottle (with the cap on) under a running cold tap or in a bowl of cold water.

Tips for bottlefeeding your baby

• Hold your baby close and make sure the teat is full of milk and not air
• Try and get a good burp out of your baby after each feed to prevent him getting a painful windy tummy

For a comprehensive guide to bottle feeding and making up formula feeds visit:

The NHS guide to bottlefeeding

Weaning

Weaning is the gradual substitution of milk in a baby's diet with solid food in order to meet their nutritional needs. The Government now advises that weaning shouldn't begin before the age of 6 months (26 weeks). Until that point breastmilk or formula milk is enough to provide all the nutrients a baby needs. Many health visitors now make a routine appointment with mums to discuss weaning a few weeks before the time is due.

How will I know if my baby is ready to begin solid foods?

• Your baby still shows signs of hunger after a bottle/breast feed or wants to feed more often
• Your baby begins waking in the night having previously slept through
• Your baby starts making a grab for your own food!
• Some babies show all the signs of wanting solid food and have no problem in gobbling up a few teaspoons of baby rice or pureed pear, while others seem like they would be perfectly happy to continue with the bottle or breast forever and take a lot longer to adjust to taking food from a spoon.
• The important thing is not to get stressed about it as every baby is different, plus your baby will probably pick up on your worries which won't make the process any easier.
• Talk to your health visitor if you have any concerns or want advice.

What shall I feed my baby?
Although we use the term "solids", babies actually start eating a diet of pureed food and cereals which is more soft than solid.

For a great guide on weaning and food to try and food to avoid, have a look at these sites:

Eat Well - Government advice

BBC Parenting - more info on weaning

Other extremely useful books include:

New Complete Baby and Toddler Meal Planner by Annabel Karme

Smart Foods for Smart Kids by Patrick Holford and Fiona McDonald Joyce