What are the benefits of breastfeeding for mothers and newborn babies?

Benefits of Breastfeeding for Mothers and Newborns

Breastfeeding provides substantial, evidence-based health benefits for both mothers and infants, reducing morbidity and mortality in both populations through multiple mechanisms including infection prevention, cancer risk reduction, and metabolic disease protection. 1

Benefits for Newborns

Immediate Protection Against Infections

• Breastfed infants experience a 22% reduction in respiratory infections (adjusted incidence density ratio 0.78) compared to non-breastfed infants 2
• Otitis media rates decrease significantly with odds ratios of 0.39-0.61 in breastfed infants 1, 2
• Gastroenteritis risk drops by 40% (adjusted OR 0.60), representing a major reduction in infant morbidity and mortality 1, 2
• Breastfeeding protects against severe infections including enterocolitis, diarrhea, and pneumonia, significantly reducing infant mortality rates 1

Long-Term Metabolic and Disease Protection

• Exclusive breastfeeding for at least 6 months protects against childhood and adolescent obesity, a critical factor in lifelong metabolic health 2
• Risk of developing type 2 diabetes decreases in breastfed children 1
• Atopic eczema rates reduce by 46% (adjusted OR 0.54) in breastfed infants 1, 2

Neurodevelopmental Benefits

• Human milk constituents impact child cognition and behavior positively 1
• In preterm infants, exclusive human milk feeding provides protective effects on neurodevelopmental outcomes at 2 years of age as measured by Bayley Scales 1
• Breastfed infants demonstrate higher IQ later in life 3

Special Population Benefits

• In extremely low birth weight infants (<1500g), human milk reduces necrotizing enterocolitis, late-onset sepsis, and improves neurodevelopment 4
• Preterm infants receiving human milk show improved autonomic and neurobehavioral maturation, better gastrointestinal adaptation, more restful sleep, less crying, and better growth 1

Benefits for Mothers

Cancer Risk Reduction

• Breastfeeding reduces maternal breast cancer risk by 19% (OR 0.81,95% CI 0.77-0.86) 2
• Ovarian cancer risk decreases by 30% (OR 0.70,95% CI 0.64-0.75) 2

Metabolic and Cardiovascular Protection

• Type 2 diabetes risk reduces by 32% (OR 0.68,95% CI 0.57-0.82), particularly important for women with gestational diabetes history 2
• Breastfeeding protects against hypertension and cardiovascular disease 3

Immediate Postpartum Benefits

• Breastfeeding with skin-to-skin contact within 30 minutes of birth reduces postpartum hemorrhage 1
• Causes more rapid return of uterine tone and involution 1, 5
• Improves birth spacing through lactation amenorrhea 1, 5

Psychological Benefits

• Depression scores and salivary cortisol concentrations are lower in mothers providing skin-to-skin care and breastfeeding 1
• Reduces maternal stress and enhances maternal-infant bonding 1, 5
• Decreases risk of postpartum depression 3

Clinical Implementation Recommendations

WHO Guidelines

The World Health Organization endorses exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life, followed by breastfeeding supplemented with complementary foods until at least 2 years of age. 1, 2

Hospital Practices That Support Breastfeeding

• Early skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth stabilizes newborn body temperature, blood glucose, and cardiorespiratory function 1
• Continuous rooming-in (24 hours per day) increases breastfeeding frequency, decreases hyperbilirubinemia, and increases likelihood of continued breastfeeding up to 6 months 1
• Avoid commercial discharge packs containing formula samples, as these reduce exclusive breastfeeding rates 1
• Breastfeeding should occur 8-12 times per 24 hours in newborns 4

Effective Breastfeeding Support Programs

Structured education programs using 30-90 minute sessions led by specially trained nurses or lactation consultants, beginning prenatally, improve breastfeeding initiation and duration. 1, 2 These programs should include:

• Basic physiology and technical training in positioning and latch-on techniques 1
• Behavioral training to overcome common barriers 1
• Strategies to garner social support from partners and family 1

Important Clinical Caveats

Contraindications Are Rare

• In developed countries, maternal HIV infection is a contraindication to breastfeeding 1
• Current alcohol and drug use/dependence contraindicate breastfeeding 1
• Infant galactosemia is a contraindication 5
• Certain medications require consultation of appropriate references 1

Food Allergy Considerations

Current evidence indicates that breastfeeding does not prevent or enhance the risk of food allergy, but is still promoted due to its other substantial benefits. 1 Maternal allergen exclusion during breastfeeding is not routinely recommended for allergy prevention 1

Common Pitfall to Avoid

Do not recommend formula supplementation unless breastfeeding technique and frequency have been optimized first, or when supplementation is medically necessary 4. Weight loss exceeding 10% requires assessment of feeding technique before supplementation 4.