Breastfeeding provides nutrition and antibodies for babies, lowers infection risk, and supports bonding, and it also has health benefits for the mother.
For babies
- Nutrition and antibodies.
- Lower risk of ear infections, diarrhea, SIDS, asthma and obesity.
For mothers
- Lower risk of breast and ovarian cancer.
- Helps the uterus recover.
- Burns calories.
- Bonding.
Guidelines
The WHO and AAP recommend exclusive breastfeeding for about 6 months, then continued with solid food for 1 to 2 years or more.
Support
Lactation consultants can help.
Measured outcomes for babies
Breast milk contains antibodies (especially IgA), white blood cells and oligosaccharides. According to the World Health Organization and a 2016 Lancet series, breastfeeding lowers infant mortality and infections, and could prevent about 823,000 child deaths and 20,000 breast cancer deaths each year globally.
- Breastfed infants have lower rates of ear infections, respiratory infections, diarrhea, SIDS and later obesity and type 2 diabetes in observational studies.
- Mothers have lower rates of breast and ovarian cancer and type 2 diabetes, and the Lancet estimated that breastfeeding lowers breast cancer risk by about 4.3 percent for each 12 months.
- The WHO and AAP recommend exclusive breastfeeding for about 6 months, with continued breastfeeding alongside solids to 2 years or beyond per WHO and at least 12 months per AAP.
Help and limitations
Latching problems, low supply worries and mastitis are common and respond to help from a lactation consultant. Some conditions, such as infant galactosemia or maternal HIV in settings where safe replacement feeding is available, or certain medications, make breastfeeding unsuitable. Formula provides safe nutrition when breastfeeding is not possible, and a pediatrician can guide choice.
Measured outcomes
The World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months, and continued breastfeeding up to 2 years or beyond. A 2016 Lancet series estimated that near universal breastfeeding could prevent about 823,000 child deaths and 20,000 breast cancer deaths in mothers each year. Breastfed infants have lower rates of ear infections, gastroenteritis and respiratory infections, and meta analyses link breastfeeding with a lower risk of sudden infant death syndrome. Mothers who breastfeed have lower rates of breast and ovarian cancer and type 2 diabetes.
Support and limits
In the US, the CDC reports about 83 percent of infants are ever breastfed, but only around 25 percent are exclusively breastfed at 6 months. Not everyone can or chooses to breastfeed because of medical conditions, supply, work, medications or personal choice, and formula is a safe, regulated alternative. Lactation consultants, the WIC program and the National Breastfeeding Helpline (800-994-9662) offer support.
Immune and developmental effects
Breast milk contains antibodies (IgA), lactoferrin, oligosaccharides and live cells. A meta analysis in JAMA Pediatrics (2015) associated breastfeeding with higher intelligence test scores of about 3 points and reduced risk of overweight. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for about 6 months and continuing with complementary foods for 1 year or longer.
Maternal health and work support
Mothers who breastfeed for 12 months or more have about a 28 percent lower risk of ovarian cancer and lower rates of hypertension. In the US, federal law (PUMP Act, 2022) requires employers to provide break time and private space to pump. Insurance under the ACA covers lactation support. Contact the La Leche League or a certified lactation consultant for challenges like latch problems.
Based on data from the American Academy of Pediatrics and JAMA Pediatrics
