At what age does breastmilk no longer provide more benefits than formula for a child?

From the Guidelines

Breastmilk continues to provide benefits beyond what formula can offer for as long as a mother chooses to breastfeed, with no specific age at which these benefits cease. According to the expert panel on integrated guidelines for cardiovascular health and risk reduction in children and adolescents, exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for the first 6 months of life, and continued breastfeeding is recommended to at least 12 months of age with the addition of complementary foods 1. The benefits of breastfeeding extend beyond infancy, with long-term follow-up studies finding sustained cardiovascular health benefits, including lower cholesterol levels, lower BMI, reduced prevalence of type 2 DM, and lower CIMT in adulthood 1.

Some key points to consider include:

• The World Health Organization, the AAP, and the American Academy of Family Physicians all recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life, and continued breastfeeding to at least 12 months of age 1
• Breastmilk provides important immunological factors, antibodies, and perfectly balanced nutrition that adapts to the child's changing needs
• The composition of breastmilk changes as a child grows older, continuing to provide immune protection and nutritional benefits that formula cannot replicate
• The caloric contribution of breastmilk decreases as a child consumes more solid foods, but the immunological benefits remain significant
• Longer duration of breastfeeding is associated with greater protection against various illnesses and conditions throughout childhood and even into adulthood 1

Overall, the benefits of breastmilk are not limited to a specific age range, and breastfeeding should be continued for as long as possible to maximize the health benefits for the child.

From the Research

Benefits of Breastmilk

• Breastmilk provides short- and long-term medical and neurodevelopmental advantages for infants, making it a public health imperative 2, 3, 4, 5.
• The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for approximately 6 months after birth, with continued breastfeeding along with complementary foods introduced at about 6 months, for 1-2 years or beyond 2, 3, 4, 5.
• Breastmilk has benefits for infants, including decreased risk of atopic dermatitis, gastroenteritis, and higher IQ later in life 5.

Comparison with Formula

• Infant formula is an industrially produced substitute for infant consumption, attempting to mimic the nutritional composition of breast milk as closely as possible 6.
• While formula can provide adequate nutrition, breastmilk has additional benefits, including modulation of postnatal intestinal function, immune ontogeny, and brain development 6.

Age-Related Benefits

• The benefits of breastmilk over formula are well-established for the first 6 months of life, with exclusive breastfeeding recommended during this period 2, 3, 4, 5.
• Beyond 6 months, breastmilk continues to provide benefits, although complementary foods can be introduced 2, 3, 4, 5.
• The World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding for at least 2 years, suggesting that breastmilk continues to provide benefits beyond 1 year of age 2, 3, 5.