What are the health benefits of direct breastfeeding from the breast compared to pumped breast milk?

From the Guidelines

Direct breastfeeding from the breast is recommended over pumped breast milk due to its numerous health benefits, including better regulation of milk composition, stronger bonding, and optimal milk temperature and composition. The advantages of direct breastfeeding are multifaceted, impacting both the infant's and mother's health positively. For instance, direct breastfeeding allows for the breast to respond to the baby's saliva during feeding, adjusting the milk composition to meet the baby's needs 1. This dynamic regulation is not fully replicable with pumped breast milk, which may lose some of its beneficial components during storage.

Some key benefits of direct breastfeeding include:

• Promoting stronger bonding through skin-to-skin contact and the release of oxytocin in both mother and baby, enhancing their emotional connection 1.
• Optimal milk temperature and composition, as the milk is delivered directly from the breast to the baby without the need for storage or reheating.
• Development of better oral muscles and jaw strength in babies, potentially reducing the risk of orthodontic issues later in life.
• Convenience, as it requires no equipment, preparation, or cleaning, making it a more straightforward and natural process.
• Effective regulation of milk production, as the suckling action during direct breastfeeding helps match supply with the baby's demand 1.

While pumped breast milk is still a nutritious option and superior to formula, direct breastfeeding maximizes the complete biological and emotional benefits of human milk feeding when possible. The World Health Organization endorses exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of an infant’s life, followed by breastfeeding supplemented with complementary foods until the age of two years, highlighting the importance of direct breastfeeding for infant and maternal health 1.

From the Research

Health Benefits of Direct Breastfeeding

The health benefits of direct breastfeeding from the breast compared to pumped breast milk are numerous. Some of the key benefits include:

• Reduced risk of infectious diseases in infants, such as diarrhea and pneumonia 2, 3
• Promotion of sensory and cognitive development in infants 2
• Protection against chronic diseases, such as endocrine disorders, pediatric cancers, and allergic diseases 2, 4
• Improved recovery time during illness in infants 2
• Numerous short- and long-term health benefits for both the baby and the mother, including a lower risk of ovarian and breast cancer, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and decreased blood pressure 5, 4

Immunological Benefits

Direct breastfeeding provides immunological benefits to infants, including:

• The transfer of host defence capacity to the human offspring, providing a remarkable model of passive transfer of immunity 3
• The transfer of mucosal protection via breast feeding, offering many additional advantages for the mother and infant 3
• The provision of secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) antibodies, which protect against various pathogens, such as Vibrio cholerae, ETEC, Campylobacter, Shigella, and Giardia 3

Nutritional Benefits

Direct breastfeeding also provides nutritional benefits to infants, including:

• A unique composition that evolves in tandem with the infant's growth and developmental needs 2
• The provision of oligosaccharides, lactose, and glycosaminoglycans, which are important for infant nutrition and development 6
• The support of the infant's well-being through anti-inflammatory properties 3