Benefits of Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is more than a lifestyle choice — it is the ideal way to nurture you and your baby. The first few weeks can be challenging, and sometimes new mothers give up before they, and their babies, experience its benefits. Read on to learn important reasons to stay motivated.

Benefits for Baby

Perfect Food:

• More easily digested and provides just the right proportion of essential nutrients, vitamins, proteins, fats and antibodies to help your baby develop physically and neurologically. 
• May reduce your child's risk of obesity.
• Changes composition based on your baby's needs as they get older or become sick.
• Made of live cells and is easily absorbed by your baby.
• Babies have a greater sense of taste and smell because breastmilk changes flavor based on the mother's diet.

Breastfed Babies are Healthy Babies:

• The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) states that "breastfeeding ensures the best possible health and best developmental and psychosocial outcomes for the infant."
  
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  (Gartner LM, Morton J, Lawrence RA, et al. Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk. Pediatrics 2005;115(2):496-506)
• They get sick less and have a lower risk of allergies.
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  (Wiggins, PK , Dettwyler, KA" Breastfeeding: A Mother's Gift", July 1, 1998 ed., Chapter 1, L.A. Publishing Co. Saarinen UM, Kajossari M. "Breastfeeding as prophylaxis against atopic disease: prospective follow-up study until 17 years old." Lancet. 1995;346:1065-1069 )
• They have a lower incidence of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).
  (cite note)
  (Gartner LM, Morton J, Lawrence RA, et al. Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk. Pediatrics 2005;115(2):496-506)
• They have a reduced risk for ear infections (otitis media) and gastroenteritis.
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  (Scariati PD, Grummer-Strawn LM, Fein SB. A longtitudinal analysis of infant morbidity and the extent of breastfeeding in the United States. Pediatrics. 1997;99(6):E5.)
• Breastfeeding leads to optimal brain development.
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  (Jensen RG. Lipids in Human Milk. Lipids. 1999;34(12):1243-1271)
• Breastmilk helps strengthen and develop a baby's immature immune system in a way no other substance can.
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  (Goldman AS. The immune system of human milk: antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating properties. Pediatr Infect Dis J 1993;12(8):664-672)
• They respond better to immunizations against Polio, Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Haemophilus influenzae.
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  (Han-Zoric, M., "Antibody responses to parenteral and oral vaccines are impaired by conventional and low protein formulas as compared to breastfeeding." Acta Paediatr Scand 1990; 79:1137-42)
• Breastfeeding contributes to optimal oral development and decreases the risk of tooth decay.
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  (Aaltonen AS and Tenovuo J. Association between mother-infant salivary contacts and caries resistance in children: a cohort study. Ped Dentistry 1994; 16(2):110-16. Labbok, M.H. "Does Breastfeeding Protect against Malocclusion? An Analysis of the 1981 Child Health Supplement to the National Health Interview Survey" American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 1987 )
• Breastfeeding protects against respiratory infections including those caused by rotaviruses. Babies are less likely to be hospitalized with pneumonia or bronchiolitis, and have a decreased risk of lower respiratory tract infections.
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  (Oddy, WH et al "Breast feeding and respiratory morbidity in infancy: a birth cohort study" Archives of Disease in Childhood 2003;88:224-228. Galton Bachrach et al (2003) Breastfeeding and the Risk of Hospitalization for Respiratory Disease in Infancy" Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 157:237-243)
• Breastfeeding has been associated with a slightly enhanced performance on cognitive development tests.
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  (Lucas A, Morley R, Cole TJ. Randomised trial of early diet in preterm babies and later intelligence quotient. BMJ. 1998;317:1481-1487. Horwood LJ, Darlow BA, Mogridge N. Breast milk feeding and cognitive ability at 7-8 years. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed. 2001; 84:F23-F27. Horwood LJ, Fergusson DM. Breastfeeding and later cognitive and academic outcomes. Pediatrics. 1998;101(1).
• Breastfeeding may reduce your child's risk of obesity and type 1 and 2 diabetes as they grow older.
  (cite note)
  (Gillman MW, Rifas-Shiman SL, Camargo CA, Jr., et al. Risk of overweight among adolescents who were breastfed as infants. JAMA. 2001;285(19):2461-7)(Gerstein HC. Cow’s milk exposure and type 1 diabetes mellitus. A critical overview of the clinical literature. Diabetes Care. 1994;17:13-19. Kostraba JN, Cruickshanks KJ, Lawler-Heavner J, et al. Early exposure to cow's milk and solid foods in infancy, genetic disposition, and the risk of IDDM. Diabetes. 1993;42:288-295.)
• Skin-to-skin contact with mom creates a strong bond and sense of security and comfort. Babies thrive physically and emotionally.
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  (Uvnas-Moberg, Eriksson: "Breastfeeding: physiological, endocrine and behavioral adaptations caused by oxytocin and local neurogenic activity in the nipple and mammary gland." Acta Paediatrica, 1996 May, 85(5):525-30)

Benefits for Mom

• Decreases risk of breast cancer.  May decrease risk of ovarian and uterine cancer.
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  (Newcomb PA, Storer BE, Longnecker MP, et al. Lactation and a reduced risk of premenopausal breast cancer. N Engl J Med. 1994;330:81-87. Jernstorm, H et al "Breast-feeding and the risk of breast cancer in BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers." J Natl Cancer Inst. 2004;96:1094-1098)(Rosenblatt KA, Thomas DB. Lactation and the risk of epithelial ovarian cancer. WHO Collaborative Study of Neoplasia and Steroid contraceptives. In J Epidemiol. 1993;22:192-197)
• Reduces risk of developing type 2 diabetes. 
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  (Stuebe AM, MD; Rich-Edwards J, Willett W, Manson J, Michels K. Duration of Lactation and Incidence of Type 2 Diabetes. JAMA. 2005;294:2601-2610)
• Breastfeeding mothers show less postpartum depression because breastfeeding triggers the release of oxytocin (the "love hormone") and prolactin, substances that help with relaxation and reduce stress.
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  (Mezzacappa ES. Breastfeeding and maternal stress response and health (Review). Nutr Rev. 2004 Jul;62(7 Pt 1):261-8)
• Burns extra calories, making it easier to lose weight after pregnancy. 
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  (Dewey KG, Heinig MJ, Nommsen LA. Maternal weight-loss patterns during prolonged lactation. Am J Clin Nutr. 1993;58:162-166)
• Breastfeeding helps your uterus return to its normal size and lessens bleeding you may experience after giving birth.
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  (Chua S, Arukumaran S, Lim I, Selamat N, Ratnam SS. Influence of breastfeeding and nipple stimulation on uterine activity. Br J Obstet Gynaecol. 1994;101:804-805)
• Saves valuable time - no need to purchase, measure or mix formula, and no bottles to warm in the middle of the night. Breastmilk is always perfectly mixed, always the right temperature and you never forget to bring it with you!
• Breastmilk is free! Even if you are pumping, a good pump and accessories are far less expensive than formula over the long term. (The average non-nursing mother can spend over $3,000 a year on formula, while a quality electric breast pump costs under $200.)
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  (Weimer J. The Economic Benefits of Breastfeeding: A Review and Analysis. Food Assistance and Nutrition Research Report No. 13. Washington, DC: Food and Rural Economics Division, Economic Research Service, USDA; 2001.)
• Breastmilk is environmentally friendly, producing no waste, no packaging and no pollution.