Rafed English

Do mums have to breastfeed? What if I don't want to?

Most mums in England choose to breastfeed. It's a lovely way to care for your baby, and has many health benefits for you both. When it's going well, breastfeeding can help you to build a close relationship with your baby.

However, breastfeeding isn't the only way to care for your baby. There's no evidence to say that babies who are formula-fed are less well-loved than breastfed babies. Though breastmilk is good for your baby, you don't have to breastfeed, or feel that you are a second-class mum, if you choose to feed your baby with formula milk.

You may not like the idea of breastfeeding, or perhaps you tried it and it didn't feel right for you. There may be all sorts of reasons why you feel this way.

Perhaps you are worried that you won't be able to breastfeed successfully. Or maybe your mum or sister didn't breastfeed, so you think you won't be able to either (which isn't true!). Maybe you're a second-time mum, and because you found breastfeeding hard-going with your first, can't face going through it all again.

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