Breast feeding is better than bottle feeding for babies. Breast milk composition is perfect for the baby and contains additional nutrients that are not present in formula bottle feeds. Particularly important are antibodies that help the young baby's immune system deal with the many germs and unusual proteins that it encounters once out of the womb. Breast fed babies are less likely to develop allergic conditions such as eczema and asthma and are less prone to becoming overweight.

Breast feeding is also good for the mother. It encourages the release of hormones that help the womb recover its original size after delivery. Breast feeding uses up tremendous amounts of calories and helps women lose some of the extra weight that is put on during pregnancy. Many women find the intimacy generated with the baby very satisfying and this helps promote strong bonding with your child.

Some women are unable to breast feed well. Occasionally the breast dries up and is unable to produce enough milk to satisfy your baby. For some women it is important that their partner helps with some feeds. Although not as good as breast milk, formula milk has been designed to contain the correct proportion of nutrients for your baby. It contains vitamins and minerals that the baby needs. There is more protein in formula milk than breast milk so it may take longer to digest. It is very important to follow the instructions for preparing milk carefully, otherwise the concentration of the milk will be wrong for your baby and this can cause problems.