Benefits of Breastmilk
How Do Babies Benefit from Breastfeeding?
- Less diarrhea, constipation, and spitting up
- More easily digested and absorbed nutrients
- Lower numbers and severity of respiratory, urinary, ear and other infections
- Less likely to suffer from childhood cancers, asthma, allergies, obesity, diabetes, eczema, and chronic bowel diseases
- Less risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome)
- Better response to vaccinations
- Higher IQ and higher scores on test of development throughout childhood
- Healthier teeth
- Lower re-hospitalization rate
Benefits into adulthood
- Lower cholesterol levels
- Less ulcerative colitis
- Less Crohn’s disease
- Less heart disease
Fewer complications for premature and pre-term infants, such as:
- Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC)
- Chronic lung disease
- Special eye problems
- Infections
How Do Mothers Benefit from Breastfeeding?
- Breastfeeding is not only good for babies, but also has benefits for mothers. Some of the benefits specifically for mothers include:
- Helps women lose weight gain in pregnancy
- Lower risk of breast cancer
- Lower risk of ovarian cancer
- Lower risk of osteoporosis (thinning of bones)
- Less missed time at work and fewer doctor’s visits
- Less expense and more convenience feeding their baby
- Comforts baby quickly – so less crying and happier baby
- Breastfeeding hormones help mothers feel calm and connect with their baby
- Lower risk of heart and blood vessel disease and diabetes
- Less postpartum bleeding
- Lower risk of postpartum depression
