Breastfeeding Benefits for Baby
Some studies show
Breast milk is nature's perfect baby food. It contains
immunity-boosting antibodies and healthy enzymes
that scientists have yet to replicate. Here are some
advantages of breast milk for babies:
1. Protects against allergies and eczema. If there's
a history of either in your family, it may be
especially beneficial for you to breastfeed.
Proteins in cow's milk and soy milk formulas can
stimulate an allergic reaction, while the
proteins in human breast milk are more easily
digested.
2. Causes less stomach upset, diarrhea, and
constipation than formula. This is also because
breast milk is so easy for your baby's body to
break down.
3. Reduces the risk of viruses, urinary tract
infections, inflammatory bowel disease,
gastroenteritis, ear infections, and respiratory
infections. "The incidences of pneumonia, colds,
and viruses are reduced among breastfed
babies," says infant-nutrition expert Ruth A.
Lawrence, M.D., a professor of pediatrics and
OB-GYN at the University of Rochester School of
Medicine and Dentistry in Rochester, N.Y., and
the author of Breastfeeding: A Guide for the
Medical Profession (Elsevier-Mosby).
Additionally, formula-fed infants are three
times more likely to suffer from ear infections
than breastfed babies, and up to five times
more likely to suffer from pneumonia and lower
respiratory-tract infections.
4. Lessens the risk of SIDS. Although the
connection is unclear, breastfed infants account
for only half as many SIDS cases as formula-fed
infants do.
5. Makes vaccines more effective. Research shows
that breastfed babies have a better antibody
response to vaccines than formula-fed babies.
6. Protects against diseases such as spinal
meningitis, type 1 diabetes, and Hodgkin's
lymphoma. You pass your baby immune factors
and white blood cells through breast milk.
7. May make your baby smarter. Research is still
inconclusive, but studies are pointing toward
breastfed babies having higher IQ scores later in
life, even when taking socioeconomic factors
into consideration. The fatty acids in breast milk
are thought to be the brain boosters.
8. Could help prevent obesity.
that breastfed infants are less likely to be obese
later in life. The theory is that nursing mothers
get in tune with signals that their baby is full,
and don't overfeed. "You have to read your
baby's 'satiety cues' a little better, because
unlike with a bottle, you can't see how much
he's eaten. You have to rely on your own
instincts and your baby's behavior to know
when your baby is full," says Heather Kelly, an
international board-certified lactation
consultant in New York City and a member of
the Bravado Breastfeeding Information
Council's advisory board.
9. Brings baby close to you. Bottlefed babies form
bonds with their parents too, of course, but the
skin-to-skin contact of breastfeeding is
reassuring to a newborn.
Breastfeeding Benefits for Mom
1. Lowers your risk of breast and ovarian cancer.
Studies show that women who breastfeed have
less risk of these cancers later in life.
2. Helps you lose pregnancy weight. Because milk
production burns about 300 to 500 calories a
day, nursing mothers tend to have an easier
time losing pregnancy weight in a healthy
way—that is, slowly and without dieting.
"Breast milk contains 20 calories per ounce. If
you feed your baby 20 ounces a day, that's 400
calories you've swept out of your body," says
Lawrence.
3. Triggers your uterus to shrink back to
prepregnancy size. In fact, in the first few
weeks, you might feel mild contractions while
you're nursing.
4. May lower your risk of osteoporosis. According
to Lawrence, women who breastfeed have a
lower risk of postmenopausal osteoporosis.
"When a woman is pregnant and lactating, her
body absorbs calcium much more efficiently,"
Lawrence explains. "So while some bones,
particularly those in the spine and hips, may be
a bit less dense at weaning, six months later,
they are more dense than before pregnancy."
5. Heals your body after delivery. The oxytocin
released when your baby nurses helps your
uterus contract, reducing post-delivery blood
loss. Plus, breastfeeding will help your uterus
return to its normal size more quickly—at about
 six weeks postpartum, compared with 10 weeks *It is possible that hormonal shifts relating to
if you don't breastfeed. breastfeeding may offer mental health benefits, but
6. Delays menstruation. Breastfeeding your baby more research is necessary to confirm this.
around the clock—no bottles or formula—will THE WOMANLY ART OF BREASTFEEDING – 8TH EDITION
delay ovulation, which means delayed Diane Wiessinger, Diana West, and Teresa Pitman
menstruation. "Breastfeeding causes the
 Real-mom wisdom on breastfeeding
release of prolactin, which keeps estrogen and
comfortably – from avoiding soreness to simply
progesterone at bay so ovulation isn't
enjoying the connection with your baby.
triggered," Kelly explains. "When your prolactin
levels drop, those two hormones can kick back  Simplified insights into approaches for latching
in, which means ovulation—and, hence, and attaching.
menstruation—occurs." Even if you do
breastfeed exclusively, your prolactin levels will  The ages and stages of a nursing relationship.
eventually drop over the course of several  Reassuring information on nursing after a C-
months. Many moms who solely nurse will see section or delivery complications.
their periods return between six and eight
months after delivery, Kelly adds; others don't  Strategies for breastfeeding, for a few days to a
for a full year. few years.
This ability of breast milk to adapt to a baby's needs  Scientific data demonstrating the importance of
offers numerous health benefits. These include a lower breastfeeding to lifelong health.
risk of:
 Helpful tips for building your support network.
1. necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a potentially
fatal stomach disease that primarily affects  Nursing special-needs, premies, multiples, and
premature babies adopted babies – and how to thrive no matter
2. ear infections what curveball life throws.
3. colds and infections, especially respiratory
 Guidance on knowing if your baby is getting
infections
enough milk, increasing your supply, sleep, day
4. sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
care, solids, colic, food allergies, medications,
5. stomach problems, such as diarrhea and
and more.
vomiting
6. eczema  “Tech support” help for sudden problems like
7. becoming a picky eater engorgement, jaundice, plugged ducts, and
much more.
Health benefits for the woman breastfeeding  Answers to the most-asked questions and to
*Most breastfeeding women experience lactational questions you didn’t know you had.
amenorrhea, which means that their periods stop for at
least some of the time that they are breastfeeding.
*For women hoping to avoid pregnancy, this can be a
significant benefit. Women with painful periods or
endometriosis may also welcome the break.
*Some researchers have suggested that women who do
not breastfeed may be more likely to experience
postpartum depression. However, the reason for this is
unclear, and researchers have not proven that
breastfeeding improves mental health.
Cons of breastfeeding
Breastfeeding can take time to master, and there can be
extra barriers in place that can make it difficult,
dangerous, or impossible to breastfeed.
Some of the challenges and cons of breastfeeding
include:
Adjustment period and pain
The early weeks of breastfeeding are often the most
difficult. Some women experience issues with milk
supply, which can be too high or too low. Others have
painful or cracked nipples. Some women develop
mastitis, a potentially severe breast infection.
Women learning to breastfeed are also adjusting to life
with a newborn, which inadequate sleep and the
constant demands of caring for the baby can make
challenging.
Many are also recovering from giving birth. The
exhaustion and possible difficulties of childbirth
recovery can make breastfeeding more difficult.
The benefits may be exaggerated
The benefits of breastfeeding, especially the cognitive
benefits, may be exaggerated. Many studies fail to
control for specific traits of breastfeeding women.
For instance, some research shows that breastfeeding
tends to be more common among women who have a
higher level of education. So the apparent boost in a
breastfed baby's intelligence could be from having a
more educated mother or caregiver rather than from
the breast milk.
Loss of bodily autonomy
Breastfeeding may complicate a woman's relationship
with her body.
Breastfeeding, especially exclusive breastfeeding, ties a
woman to her baby.
Some women may feel that they have lost ownership of
their bodies.
This loss of bodily autonomy can affect their self-
esteem, sex life, and body image.
Women who pump breast milk may also feel
uncomfortable with this process.
Lack of social support
While medical organizations generally support
breastfeeding, the community often fails to provide
women with adequate support.
A lack of support can make breastfeeding feel isolating
and needlessly difficult. Some of the issues
breastfeeding women may face include:
 judgment from friends, family members, and
even strangers who oppose breastfeeding
 pressure to stop breastfeeding sooner than
they would like
 lack of support from a spouse or partner
 inadequate sleep
 significant loss of time
 shaming and judgment for breastfeeding in
public
 lack of breastfeeding advice from medical
professionals
 confusion about which activities are safe to do
when breastfeeding
Uneven distribution of parenting work
The task of feeding a baby can fall exclusively to the
person breastfeeding, especially if the baby will not take
a bottle or another caregiver does not bottle-feed the
baby.
The unequal distribution of parenting work can lead to
resentment in a relationship and leave the person
breastfeeding with little or no time of their own.
The only disadvantages for the baby in breastfeeding
occur when things are not going well, for example, if
there's an inadequate supply of breast milk or an
inefficient suck reflex in the baby. However, it is unusual
for a mother not to produce enough milk for her baby
unless she is not breastfeeding correctly or frequently
enough. The disadvantages that most commonly arise
involve the rest of the family. Siblings and dad
sometimes feel "left out" of baby care since mom is the
only one who can do the nursing. However, other family
members can be involved in helping with different
aspects of the baby's care, and this gives them a
valuable feeling of importance and allows mom a
chance to rest.
Breastfed babies eat more often than formula-fed
babies since breast milk is more quickly digested and
leaves the stomach empty more frequently. This puts a
little more stress on the mother because of the
potential necessity for more frequent feedings. If the
mother develops certain medical conditions, whether or
not to continue breastfeeding may need to be
reassessed. These conditions should always be
discussed with the doctor