Why breast is best for your baby

Everyone has heard the phrase breast is best, but often mothers don’t understand how much better not only breastmilk but nursing in general is for the health and general wellbeing of their babies. Human breastmilk is biologically engineered for human babies and is the best nutrition a baby can receive. Breastmilk adjusts itself according to the nutritional and developmental needs of the baby. Breastfeeding has benefits for both mother and baby. Here I will explore what these are and the importance of encouraging and supporting women to allow for successful breastfeeding.

Health benefits for baby during infancy

Overall, breastfed babies are significantly healthier, with babies exclusively breastfed for the first 6 month of life having a 93% lower risk of death compared to babies that have never been breastfed. Health benefits for babies include increased protection against infectious diseases, due to antibodies that pass from mother to baby. These antibodies bind to bacteria, viruses and other toxins and stops them from binding to babies’ cells (North et al., 2022).

Breastmilk is easily digested by the immature digestive systems of babies whilst formula takes longer to move through the digestive tract increasing vomiting, constipation and flatulence in babies. Additionally, formula feeding leads to overstretching of baby’s stomach due to the larger amount of formula needed in order to meet nutritional needs compared to breastmilk. This leads to an increased risk of obesity and diabetes in adulthood. Probiotics are also naturally made by the mother’s body and passed to baby through breastmilk, increasing protection against stomach related diseases. Breastfeeding has a significant protective effect against diarrhea and respiratory illnesses, with exclusively breastfed babies having a 56% lower risk for diarrhea and diarrhea related deaths. What’s more, studies show formula fed babies in developed countries have a three times higher chance of ending up in hospital with severe respiratory infections compared to breastfed babies (Byers, 2015; North et al., 2022; Wobudeya et al., 2011).

Non-exclusive breastfeeding (combination feeding) is also beneficial with babies between 6 and 18 months old that have been exposed to any breastfeeding in their first 6 months of life having a 46% decrease in mortality compared to babies that have never been breastfed. Additionally, children under the age of 5 that received any breastfeeding are 70% less likely to die due to respiratory illnesses compared to those that have never been breastfed. Lastly, formula fed babies were also found to be twice as likely to die from SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) compared to breastfed babies (North et al., 2022).

Health benefits during childhood and adulthood

Breastfeeding during infancy also results in a lowered risk for non-infectious diseases during childhood and adulthood with a lower risk of Type 2 diabetes and obesity. Additionally, breastfeeding has been found to protect against allergies and asthma in childhood as well as childhood leukemia. Other studies also show probable protection against inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease and colitis) and celiac disease.

Breastfeeding is also linked to decreased visits to dentist with breastfeeding promoting mandibular muscle strength, decreasing infections (such as ear infection) and helps to line up the teeth correctly. Importantly, several studies have also linked breastfeeding with better performance in intelligence (IQ) tests and better cognitive development throughout childhood and into adulthood (North et al., 2022; Brahm and Valdes, 2017).

Other health benefits

Breastfeeding enhances bonding between mother and baby with the breasts excreting an oily substance which assists in this bonding process. In addition, breastfeeding enhances secure attachment between mother and baby and also assists in emotional development with breastfeeding toddlers displaying more warm and cooperative emotions and less demanding and angry emotions. The physical contact between mother and baby during breastfeeding (kangaroo care) also promotes psychological and emotional stability in both mother and baby (Gibbs et al., 2018; North et al., 2022).

Benefits for the mother

Breastfeeding provides a non-drug alternative to contraception (most effective if the woman breastfeeds on demand at intervals of 3 hours or less) whilst also decreasing a women’s risk for female related cancers such as endometrial, ovarian and breast cancer. Breastfeeding for longer (>6 months) also substantially decreases the risk for breast and ovarian cancer. Breastfeeding is associated with decreased postpartum bleeding (due to the release of oxytocin while baby is suckling) and a faster shrinkage of the uterus to its pre-pregnancy state which lowers the risk for uterine prolapse (where the uterus drops and protrudes through the vagina). Breastfeeding mothers are also at a lowered risk of becoming anemic post-partum due to the inhibition of menstruation which contributes to increased energy levels. Additionally, breastfeeding is associated with a sustained weight loss post-partum as well as a lowered risk of hypertension, cardiovascular issues, and diabetes (Fox et al., 2021; North et al., 2022).

The importance of supporting mothers in their breastfeeding journey

As described, breastfeeding offers a multitude of benefits for both mother and baby and as such it is important that doctors, health workers, spouses, family, and friends support and encourage breastfeeding. A lot of mothers experience a feeling of isolation and loneliness during the first few months of breastfeeding as a result of the stigmatization surrounding breastfeeding in public and around family with mothers having to spend hours locked up alone in a room breastfeeding their babies. This often leads to resentment and worsening of post-partum depression. Compassion and a network of supportive women could greatly help with alleviating this pressure which would increase breastfeeding success.

References

Brahm, P. and Valdes, V., 2017. Benefits of breastfeeding and risks associated with not breastfeeding. Rev Chil Pediatr, 88(1), pp.15-21.

Byers, H.L., 2015. The benefits of breastfeeding.

Fox, M., Siddarth, P., Oughli, H.A., Nguyen, S.A., Milillo, M.M., Aguilar, Y., Ercoli, L. and Lavretsky, H., 2021. Women who breastfeed exhibit cognitive benefits after age 50. Evolution, medicine, and public health, 9(1), pp.322-331.

Gibbs, B.G., Forste, R. and Lybbert, E., 2018. Breastfeeding, parenting, and infant attachment behaviors. Maternal and Child Health Journal, 22, pp.579-588.

North, K., Gao, M., Allen, G. and Lee, A.C., 2022. Breastfeeding in a global context: epidemiology, impact, and future directions. Clinical Therapeutics, 44(2), pp.228-244.

Wobudeya, E., Bachou, H., Karamagi, C.K., Kalyango, J.N., Mutebi, E. and Wamani, H., 2011. Breastfeeding and the risk of rotavirus diarrhea in hospitalized infants in Uganda: a matched case control study. BMC pediatrics, 11(1), pp.1-7.