This Down Syndrome Awareness Month, we’ve teamed up with Down Syndrome UK to share facts, bust myths, and remind parents that you don’t have to do this alone. One of our own peer supporters, Veronica, also shares her experiences breastfeeding a baby with Down syndrome, and how this experience has influenced the way she now supports other mums and babies.
When it comes to breastfeeding, families of babies with Down syndrome are sometimes told it may not be possible. Yet, with the right support, many parents find breastfeeding both achievable and deeply rewarding. Beyond nutrition, breastfeeding can play a unique role in supporting the specific health and developmental needs of babies with Down syndrome.
Immune protection at a time of vulnerability
Babies with Down syndrome are more prone to infections due to a less developed immune system. Breastmilk contains antibodies and immune-boosting factors that can help reduce this risk, offering vital protection during the early months and even beyond weaning.
One mum shared: “I was so glad I persevered. Knowing I was giving him that extra protection when he seemed so tiny and fragile really gave me confidence as a new parent.”
Supporting speech and oral development
The simple act of sucking at the breast strengthens muscles in the tongue and mouth that are later needed for speech. Because children with Down syndrome often experience low muscle tone (hypotonia), breastfeeding can be a powerful early therapy that lays foundations for communication.
Another parent shared: “Our speech therapist told me that every feed was like a little therapy session. That thought kept me going on the tough days.”
Nurturing gut and brain health
Research shows that breastmilk helps seed the gut with healthy bacteria, which is especially important since people with Down syndrome are more likely to face digestive issues. Breastfeeding has also been linked to positive brain development, and the physical closeness of feeding fosters emotional security and bonding.
Practical ways to make it work
Every baby is different, and some may face challenges with latching or stamina. Supportive feeding positions, such as the dancer hold and using a supportive pillow, can help babies with lower muscle tone. For those needing extra time, parents may use techniques like hand expression, nipple shields, or paced bottle feeding with expressed milk, while still maintaining the benefits of breastmilk.
Changing the narrative
The outdated myth that “babies with Down syndrome can’t breastfeed” is simply untrue. Many can and do. With the right guidance – whether from midwives, peer groups, or resources like Down Syndrome UK’s breastfeeding guide – families can find an approach that works for them.
Breastfeeding is not always straightforward, but for babies with Down syndrome it can be more than a source of nutrition. It can be a tool for resilience, development, and connection – helping babies grow stronger in ways that matter for their future.
If you’d like to learn more or connect with other parents on this journey, Down Syndrome UK offers peer support groups and practical guidance for families navigating breastfeeding with Down syndrome.
Veronica’s story:
When my youngest son was born in August 2011 with an unexpected birth diagnosis of Down syndrome and low muscle tone, along with a suspected tongue tie, I found myself in a situation where I was unable to breastfeed him, as he wasn’t latching. After breastfeeding my other 3 sons with no issues, this came as something of a shock to me.
This was back before the amazing support that PADS now offers, and the only information I could find on breastfeeding a baby with Down’s syndrome was from the Australian Breastfeeding Association. I had previously done some training as a breastfeeding peer supporter through the local authority, which came in handy as it enabled me to advocate for myself and my baby and navigate my way through jaundice, triple feeding, and a tongue tie division. He was soon breastfeeding well, and I continued feeding him until he self-weaned just before his 5th birthday.
Without all of the support I was able to access and my previous experiences of breastfeeding, I would never have gotten to that point. It inspired me to go on to train with the Breastfeeding Network, and I am now supporting new mums on a hospital ward. My experience with my youngest son gave me a new perspective on supporting and a passion for supporting new mums, especially when they are experiencing similar difficulties that I was.
My advice to anyone supporting a new mum with a baby with Down syndrome is to support them as you would any mum. There may be some common breastfeeding issues that babies with Down syndrome have, such as low muscle tone. But in some cases, there could be other factors, which aren’t related, such as in my son’s case – tongue tie. That is why it is so important to support the mum and baby together.
Our National Breastfeeding Helpline provides breastfeeding and infant feeding support 24/7. Call 0300 100 0212 or send a message on social media (Facebook and Instagram only).