Nurturing a happy baby starts during pregnancy. Building a strong bond with your baby will give them the best possible start in life, and will help them to grow up happy and confident. Responding to babies’ needs for comfort and food is hugely beneficial for brain development and makes for more confident toddlers.
New babies have a strong need to be close to their parents, as this helps them to feel secure and loved. When babies feel secure they release a hormone called oxytocin, which helps their brains to grow and helps them to be happy babies and more confident children and adults. Holding, smiling and talking to your baby also releases oxytocin in you, which helps you to feel calm and happy.
Starting to think about feeding your baby during your pregnancy…
It’s never too early to start thinking about how you’re going to feed your baby, but you do not have to make a decision until your baby is born.
Find out as much as you can about your options:
- Look at the value of breastfeeding for you and your baby
- Keep an open mind and remember there is value to any breastmilk you choose to give your baby.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2adrIKweZTE
Infant Feeding Team
DBTH have an infant feeding team which includes specialist infant feeding midwives at both sites and maternity support workers who have a specialist interest in infant feeding.
The Team also provide a specialist breastfeeding clinic to support mothers and babies up to 28 days. Just ask your midwife or maternity support worker to refer you.
Further information
- Building a Happy Baby – A Guide for Parents
This leaflet, which is free to download, helps parents to develop that strong relationship, starting in pregnancy and continuing into the early days, weeks and months of a baby’s life.
The information is also available in video format here. - Unicef UK Baby Friendly Initiative | Breastfeeding and Relationship Building video.
- Unicef UK Baby Friendly Initiative | Communication in pregnancy
Antenatal conversations provide an opportunity for parents to talk about how they can bond with their unborn baby, feeding options and the benefits of skin to skin contact for mum and baby. Watch the video here. - https://maternitymattersdorset.nhs.uk/after/feeding/
- Mothers Guide to the Dorset Breastfeeding Policy
- http://www.babyfriendly.org.uk/
- Start for Life Feeding Information
- Off to a good start – All you need to know about breastfeeding:
ENGLISH – http://www.healthscotland.com/uploads/documents/120-Off%20to%20a%20good%20start-Jan2018-English.pdf
ARABIC – http://www.healthscotland.com/uploads/documents/120-Off%20to%20a%20good%20start-Sept21-Arabic.pdf
POLISH – http://www.healthscotland.com/uploads/documents/120-Off%20to%20a%20good%20start-Sept21-Polish.pdf
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