BY KAYLA LINDQUIST, Registered/Licensed Dietitian and Certified Lactation Consultant
Breastfeeding stands as one of the most impactful practices for enhancing the health and well-being of both infants and mothers. Supported by a wealth of research, the benefits of breastfeeding are profound and multifaceted.
FOR INFANTS:
- Optimal Nutrition: Breast milk is tailored to meet an infant’s nutritional needs. It contains the perfect balance of proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals essential for healthy growth and development. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), breast milk provides all the nutrients an infant needs for the first six months of life (World Health Organization, 2022).
- Immune Protection: Breast milk is rich in antibodies and other immune factors that help protect infants from infections and illnesses. This includes a reduced risk of respiratory and gastrointestinal infections, as well as chronic conditions like asthma and type 1 diabetes (Victora et al., 2016).
- Enhanced Cognitive Development: Research indicates that breastfeeding is associated with improved cognitive development and higher IQ scores. A study published in The Lancet Global Health found that longer breastfeeding duration is linked to better cognitive outcomes in childhood (Horta et al., 2015).
FOR MOTHERS:
- Postpartum Recovery: Breastfeeding promotes uterine contraction, which helps reduce postpartum bleeding and accelerates the return of the uterus to its pre-pregnancy size. Additionally, it aids in weight loss by burning extra calories (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2020).
- Reduced Risk of Chronic Diseases: Mothers who breastfeed have a lower risk of developing breast and ovarian cancers. They also have a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (American Academy of Family Physicians, 2020).
- Emotional and Bonding Benefits: The act of breastfeeding fosters a close bond between mother and baby. This physical closeness and the release of hormones like oxytocin contribute to a strong emotional connection and can reduce the risk of postpartum depression (Kendall-Tacke, 2016).
SUMMARY:
Breastfeeding offers numerous benefits that extend beyond the initial months of an infant’s life and the immediate postpartum period. Its advantages encompass physical health, cognitive development, and emotional well-being for both mother and child. Promoting and supporting breastfeeding is a crucial step towards improving public health outcomes and fostering healthier future generations.
Resources to start learning more about breastfeeding:
- World Health Organization: https://www.who.int/health-topics/breastfeeding#tab=tab_1
- Lactation Education Resources: https://www.lactationtraining.com/resources/handouts-parents/handouts-lactation
- US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/site.html#gen
REFERENCES:
American Academy of Family Physicians. (2020). Breastfeeding: Maternal and Infant Benefits.
American Academy of Pediatrics. (2020). Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk. Pediatrics, 146(1). doi:10.1542/peds.2020-0149
Horta, B. L., Loret de Mola, C., & Victora, C. G. (2015). Long-term effects of breastfeeding: A systematic review. The Lancet Global Health, 3(4), e219-e229. doi:10.1016/S2214-109X(14)70221-5
Kendall-Tacke, K. (2016). The Role of Breastfeeding in Preventing Postpartum Depression. Journal of Perinatal Education, 25(3), 131-135. doi:10.1891/1058-1243.25.3.131
Victora, C. G., Bahl, R., Barros, A. J. D., França, G. V. A., & Horton, S. (2016). Breastfeeding in the 21st century: Epidemiology, mechanisms, and lifelong effect. The Lancet, 387(10017), 475-490. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(15)01024-7
World Health Organization. (2022). Global Strategy for Infant and Young Child Feeding.
Article Photo Credit: www.Wellspan.org
Kayla Lindquist, MA, RD/LC