From the Guidelines
Breastfeeding is the recommended first choice for infant nutrition when possible, as it provides the ideal nutrition for infants and has numerous health benefits for both the mother and the baby. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for about the first six months of life, followed by continued breastfeeding alongside appropriate complementary foods for at least one year or longer as desired by mother and baby 1. Breast milk contains antibodies that help protect against many common childhood illnesses and infections while supporting optimal development, and it naturally adjusts its composition to meet a baby's changing needs 1. However, formula feeding is a completely acceptable alternative when breastfeeding isn't possible or chosen, and modern infant formulas are designed to mimic breast milk and provide necessary nutrients for healthy development. The decision between breastfeeding and formula should ultimately be based on the mother's health, circumstances, and personal choice, with some mothers combining both feeding methods successfully 1. What matters most is that the baby receives adequate nutrition in a loving environment. Key benefits of breastfeeding include:
- Reduced risk of infections and diseases for the infant
- Optimal nutrition and development for the infant
- Health benefits for the mother, including reduced risk of certain cancers and improved mental health
- Environmental benefits, as breastfeeding is a sustainable and low-impact way to feed infants 1 It's also important to note that breastfeeding recommendations should be approached with a focus on health, equity, and environmental protection, and that exclusive and continued breastfeeding can benefit not only the health of infants and their families but also the environment by minimizing greenhouse gas emissions associated with unnecessary consumption 1.
From the Research
Comparison of Breastfeeding and Formula Feeding
- Breastfeeding is considered superior to infant formula feeding due to its nutritional advantages and protection against infections through specific and non-specific immune factors 2.
- Human milk provides immunologic protection and beneficial effects on intestinal flora, enhancing the immature immunologic system of the neonate and strengthening host defense mechanisms against infective and other foreign agents 2, 3.
- Breast milk promotes sensory and cognitive development, and protects the infant against infectious and chronic diseases, reducing infant mortality due to common childhood illnesses such as diarrhea or pneumonia 4.
Benefits of Breastfeeding
- Exclusive breastfeeding reduces infant mortality and improves recovery time during illness, providing numerous short- and long-term health benefits for both the baby and its mother 4.
- Breastfeeding contributes to a lifetime of good health, influencing mental and psychomotor development, and reducing the risk of endocrine disorders, pediatric cancers, and allergic diseases for the breastfed child 4.
- Breast milk continues to provide substantial amounts of key nutrients well beyond the first year of life, especially protein, fat, and most vitamins 5.
Recommendations for Infant Nutrition
- Breast milk alone can meet nutrient needs during the first 6 months, with the possible exception of vitamin D in certain populations and iron in infants of relatively low birth weight 5.
- Complementary foods offered before 6 months of age tend to displace breast milk and do not confer any growth advantage over exclusive breastfeeding 5.
- The World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, with continued breastfeeding along with appropriate complementary foods up to 2 years of age or beyond 2, 4.