Benefits of Breastfeeding

Center for Disease Control Summary of the Benefits of Breastfeeding

SOURCE: Breastfeeding trends and updated national health objectives for exclusive breastfeeding–United States, birth years 2000-2004 (2007). MMWR MorbMortalWklyRep., 56, 760-763.)

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently summarized the benefits of breastfeeding. The report noted that breastfeeding is associated with decreased risk of many early-life diseases and conditions, including:

  1. Otitis media (Ear Infections)
  2. Respiratory tract infections (colds, pneumonia, sore throats)
  3. Atopic dermatitis (eczema)
  4. Gastroenteritis (diarrhea and vomiting)
  5. Type 2 diabetes
  6. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
  7. Obesity (a growing national epidemic)

The report also cited health benefits to women who breastfeed, including decreased risks for:

  1. Type 2 diabetes
  2. Ovarian cancer
  3. Breast cancer

But despite all of these benefits, the CDC found that target rates for mothers who breastfeed, and for duration of breastfeeding, are just not being met. Only about 30% of infants are exclusively breast-fed through age 3 months, and just 11% through age 6 months.

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Benefits of Breastfeeding on the Immune System

SOURCE: Loland, B. F., Baerug, A. B., & Nylander, G. (2007). [Human milk, immune responses and health effects]. Tidsskr.Nor Laegeforen., 127, 2395-2398.

Norwegian researchers very recently summarized the less well-known effects of breast milk on the infant’s immune system, which can help explain why breast-fed babies are so much less likely to come down with serious infections. The researchers reviewed dozens of recent scientific publications and reached the following conclusions:

  1. Breast milk contains both germ-fighting cells and antibodies from the mother. Together they protect against infections in the respiratory tract, the intestines, and the urinary tract.
  2. Human milk protects premature babies from deadly blood-stream infections and a devastating form of intestinal malfunction called necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).
  3. There is evidence that human milk may provide long-term protection against certain autoimmune diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis), and even some cancers.
  4. Human milk might even affect some components of the “metabolic syndrome” which doctors now realize is the common connection between high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease in adults – some of the changes seen in the metabolic syndrome can be found in children as young as 4 years.
  5. Breastfeeding benefits for mom include protection from breast cancer, ovarian cancer, rheumatoid arthritis and type 2 diabetes.

Formula Maker’s Findings on Breastfeeding

SOURCE: Turck, D. (2007). Later effects of breastfeeding practice: the evidence. Nestle.Nutr.Workshop Ser.Pediatr.Program., 60:31-9; discussion 39-42., 31-39.)

A recent report from a nutritional workshop in pediatrics listed some of the known benefits that come with breastfeeding – this workshop was supported by formula-maker Nestle, making the conclusions even more compelling. The report highlighted some of the long-term effects on infants – effects that outlast the period of breastfeeding itself. These included:

  1. Lower blood pressure
  2. Lower total cholesterol
  3. Protection against some chronic intestinal conditions (celiac disease)
  4. Protection against type 1 (“juvenile onset”) diabetes

The report went on to summarize some of the remarkable behavioral and cognitive benefits of breastfeeding, including an IQ advantage of at least 3 points that is evident as early as 6 months of age – and persists through childhood and adolescence.

Early Childhood Development and Breastfeeding

SOURCE: Angelsen, N. K., Vik, T., Jacobsen, G., & Bakketeig, L. S. (2001). Breast feeding and cognitive development at age 1 and 5 years. Arch.Dis.Child., 85, 183-188.

Breast milk and breastfeeding have multiple nutritional benefits and also protect both mom and baby from a host of other conditions including infections, diabetes, and even some cancers. But a dramatic addition to this list was made in 2001, with a report that breastfeeding had measurable beneficial effects on cognitive development in early childhood.

Norwegian researchers studied 345 children, following their developmental progress until age 5 years. Children who breast-fed for less than 3 months scored lower on a battery of developmental tests compared with children who breast-fed for at least 6 months. This difference was evident both at the 1 year and the 5 year testing.