Breastfeeding and SIDS

Breastfeeding for at least two months halves the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and the longer you can continue the more protection it will give your baby. Breast milk contains all the nutrition your baby needs for their first six months of life. Any amount of breastfeeding is protective, but the longer you can continue the more protection it will give your baby. At six months, you can start introducing other foods as well. 

The Department of Health now recommends that babies are exclusively breastfed for at least six months. After that they recommended that you continue breastfeeding for as long as the mother and baby want, while adding in appropriate weaning foods.

Breastfeeding helps to protect your baby from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and give them a safe and healthy start in life. Ideally, breastfeed for the first six months, but any amount of breastfeeding is protective. Breastfeeding in combination with formula milk still helps lower the risk of SIDS and there is support available if you’re struggling. Follow our safer sleep advice and for more advice and support, contact your midwife, health visitor or the National Breastfeeding Helpline. Unicef UK also have helpful baby friendly breastfeeding resources.

Chaque bébé est en sécurité. Chaque famille est soutenue.

Si ces informations vous ont été utiles, pensez à faire un don aujourd'hui pour nous aider à atteindre et à aider le prochain parent ou aidant, comme vous. Votre gentillesse nous permettra de :

• Donner aux familles des conseils fiables pour assurer la sécurité de leur bébé
• Soutenir les familles en deuil pendant les jours les plus sombres de leur vie
• Financer la recherche pour trouver des réponses aux décès soudains et inattendus de bébés et de jeunes enfants
• Faites un pas de plus vers un monde où aucun bébé ne meurt de façon soudaine ou inattendue.