We are learning more and more about how amazing breastmilk is and the health benefits of breastfeeding for both mother and baby. It is the perfect food for babies, and even changes with your baby’s age. While it is recommended for at least 6 months, any amount of breastfeeding has health benefits. In addition to the health benefits, breastfeeding provides a unique emotional and physical bond between you and your baby.

What are the benefits of breastfeeding for the baby?

  • Fewer infections, including stomach viruses, respiratory and ear infections
  • Decreased risk of SIDS
  • Milder infections when they do occur
  • Fewer allergies, asthma, and eczema
  • Less chance of becoming obese or having weight problems in the future
  • Less chance of overfeeding as an infant
  • Immune system teaching and development
  • Development of taste
  • Higher intelligence
  • Bonding with the mother
  • Developmental stimulation
  • Optimal nutrition; breastmilk even changes with the age of the baby
  • Better for the teeth and mouth and development of facial muscles
  • Promotes normal intestinal bacteria
  • Less chance of diabetes, celiac disease, and inflammatory bowel disease
  • May have less chance of childhood and adult cancers

Many of these effects are permanent and can be measured years later.

What are the benefits for the mother?

  • Promotes uterine health and return of the uterus to normal size, helps stop bleeding
  • Speeds a return to normal hormonal and metabolic balance
  • Improves mental health
  • Faster weight loss and return to pre-pregnancy weight
  • Protects against breast and ovarian cancer
  • Natural birth control
  • Promotes a natural, healthy 2-year span between children
  • Bonding with baby
  • Convenient, no bottles to wash, no formula to prepare, no bottles to pack
  • Very economical; formula costs about $80 per month, and fewer illnesses mean fewer doctor visits
  • Decreased risk of osteoporosis

Benefits for family & society

  • Breastfeeding is convenient: there are no bottles to wash, no formula to prepare, and no bottles to pack.
  • It is very economical; formula costs about $80 per month, and fewer illnesses mean fewer doctor visits.

Research shows optimal breastfeeding rates would:

  • Prevent over 800,000 deaths in children worldwide every year.
  • Prevent almost 1,000 infant deaths and save $13 billion a year in the US.
  • Prevent over 20,000 deaths in women per year from breast cancer.
  • Save over $300 billion per year.

Newer discoveries

  • Breast milk affects the baby’s gut bacteria and microbiome.
  • Breastfeeding affects gene expression: it turns genes on or off or affects the level of expression (epigenetics) in the baby’s body.
  • There is signaling from mom’s body and immune system to baby’s.
  • There are stem cells in breast milk! We do not yet know what they are doing. They seem to go to the heart and brain in the baby.

References

Victora CG, Bahl R, Barros AJD, et al. Breastfeeding in the 21st century: epidemiology, mechanisms, and lifelong effect. The Lancet. 2016;387(10017):475-490. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(15)01024-7

Ip S, Chung M, Raman G, Trikalinos TA, Lau J. A summary of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality’s evidence report on breastfeeding in developed countries. Breastfeed Med. 2009;4 Suppl 1:S17-30. doi:10.1089/bfm.2009.0050

Victora CG, Horta BL, Mola CL de, et al. Association between breastfeeding and intelligence, educational attainment, and income at 30 years of age: a prospective birth cohort study from Brazil. The Lancet Global Health. 2015;3(4):e199-e205. doi:10.1016/S2214-109X(15)70002-1

Lodge CJ, Tan DJ, Lau MXZ, et al. Breastfeeding and asthma and allergies: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Acta Paediatrica. 2015;104(S467):38-53. doi:10.1111/apa.13132

Chowdhury R, Sinha B, Sankar MJ, et al. Breastfeeding and maternal health outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Acta Paediatrica. 2015;104(S467):96-113. doi:10.1111/apa.13102

Bowatte G, Tham R, Allen KJ, et al. Breastfeeding and childhood acute otitis media: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Acta Paediatrica. 2015;104(S467):85-95. doi:10.1111/apa.13151

Yamakawa M, Yorifuji T, Inoue S, Kato T, Doi H. Breastfeeding and Obesity Among Schoolchildren: A Nationwide Longitudinal Survey in Japan. JAMA Pediatrics. 2013;167(10):919. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2013.2230

Parikh NI, Hwang SJ, Ingelsson E, et al. Breastfeeding in infancy and adult cardiovascular disease risk factors. Am J Med. 2009;122(7):656-663.e1. doi:10.1016/j.amjmed.2008.11.034

Paolella G, Vajro P. Childhood Obesity, Breastfeeding, Intestinal Microbiota, and Early Exposure to Antibiotics: What Is the Link? JAMA Pediatrics. Published online June 13, 2016. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2016.0964