There is always so much research and comment on the benefits of breast feeding: should it be one month, should it be a year, should it be more or less?  The latest research published this week suggests that those babies who are fed exclusively on breast milk for the first six months of their life are less likely to have infections.  It has been said that the number of infections the baby suffers and indeed the severity of those infections will be less.

How did researchers come to this conclusion?

1,000 babies were tested.  Of those babies, those fed on breast milk only for the first six months had significantly less common infections than the other babies.  The other babies were either fed only on formula or were fed on a mix of both formula and breast milk.

The breast fed babies had fewer instances of respiratory infection, ear infections and thrush.  Other factors which could influence the infection rates were taken into account.  However, there are a few flaws in the findings.

1. Mothers had to recall illnesses rather than consult actual medical records so they may have made errors.
2. Less than 100 of the babies were exclusively breast fed which is a small sample.
3. Different mothers may consider the severity of any illness differently which may distort findings.  What one mother said is severe, another may consider is only slight.

The research was carried out by the University of Crete and published in the Archives of Deseases in Childhood. The Government recommends new babies are breastfed for the first six months.

During their first years, the costs associated with having a new baby in the house are visible, but there are wider and longer term financial commitments that should be considered.

When babies are new, it seems they need lots of equipment and expensive stuff around the house.  The cot, the car seat, the chair, clothes, nappies, shoes.  Something you may get as gifts, other things you may have to save for.  One building Society estimated that the average family spends £132 a week on children.  Over an 18 year period, that is a staggering £123,500!  It's practically a house!

One survey said that the value of a Mum was... wait for it... £32,800 a year!  If only someone would pay that for our services!

But, there are ways of reducing the cost of a baby - it just takes a bit of planning and careful thinking.

1. Borrow or swap toys so you only have to buy one lot and your friend buys something else to share every few weeks.
2. Find out what is worth getting - speak to parents and discover which toys their kids like best.
3. Check out nearly new sales and boot sales for second hand toys.  You may be surprised at some of the bargains on offer.
4. Look at own brand vests, baby grows, nappies and wipes etc.
5. Breastfeed rather than buy formula - no waste and its fabulously free!
6. Get family and friends to buy practical presents.
7. Draw up a list of what you need and try not veer from that list.
8. Make sure you get all the benefits, maternity pay and awards that you are entitled to.  Remember to register for child benefit, tax credits and  working tax credits.  A little research could make a real difference to what you are paid.
9. Claim your Child Trust Fund money and invest carefully.