The Swedish National Food Agency's advice on food for children up to one year of age is based on research and is intended to support you as a parent. They are written to be suitable for most people. Not all advice will work for everyone, but may need to be adapted to your family's situation.

Breast milk for the first six months:

The early days are a special time - transformative and amazing. In retrospect, this period usually seems very short, but when you're in the middle of it, it can be stressful, in the midst of the amazing. Many people are unprepared for how driven you are by your baby's needs and what it's like to be woken up in the middle of the night when your baby wants to be fed or held.

To make everyday life work, it is good to gradually find a rhythm that gives the child security and the parents a structure in life. Since life is initially mostly about eating and sleeping, it is often around meals that routines are built.

For the first six months, breast milk is the best food for your baby. For non-breastfed babies, infant formula provides the energy and nutrition your baby needs. But food is not only about nutrition, it also provides a moment of closeness that is important for the baby.

breast milk:

Breast milk contains all the nutrition a baby needs to grow and develop during the first six months. The only exception is vitamin D, which the baby needs to get through D drops.
Breastfeeding stimulates milk production. For some, breastfeeding starts by itself, for others it takes longer. It is important that you get the help you need. The maternity hospital, the breastfeeding clinic or the nurse at the childcare center can provide support. Don't be afraid to ask! Today, there is a lot of knowledge about how to make breastfeeding work. The county councils' website 1177 Vårdguiden provides practical advice on how to breastfeed. The Breastfeeding Center at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm also has information on breastfeeding.
Can breastfeeding reduce the risk of disease?

Breast milk contains substances that reduce the risk of infections such as ear infections and stomach flu. Research also shows that breastfed children are less likely to become overweight and develop type 2 diabetes as adults. Children who are exclusively breastfed are most protected, but even a little breastfeeding is good. However, breastfeeding is unlikely to reduce the risk of allergies.

To save breast milk:

A small baby is susceptible to infections. If you are going to express breast milk, it is therefore important to wash your hands first to avoid transferring bacteria or viruses from your hands to the milk. The milk does not need to be refrigerated but can be put directly into the fridge or freezer. Breast milk can be stored in the refrigerator for a maximum of three days. In the freezer, milk will keep for at least six months. Thaw frozen breast milk in warm or cold water or in the refrigerator, not at room temperature. Discard leftover milk after the baby has eaten.

Is breast milk affected by what the mother eats?

What a mother eats and drinks affects her breast milk. You can read more about this in the advice for breastfeeding.

Want to read more about advice on breastmilk substitutes? Click here to read more!