Breastfeeding Benefits Last a Lifetime

Although breastfeeding can be challenging during the first few weeks, more evidence has emerged that breastfeeding offers babies health benefits that last throughout their lives.

Experts agree breast milk is the perfect food for babies. While meeting unique nutritional needs, breast milk also protects infants from a variety of illnesses, including gastrointestinal infections.

According to a new study, breastfeeding exclusively for the first six months can help prevent gastrointestinal problems. Breastfeeding also decreases the incidence of other infections, including meningitis, respiratory tract infections, ear infections, sepsis and intestinal infections in premature infants.

“Breastfed infants have more beneficial bifida bacteria lining their intestinal tracts, which inhibits the growth of harmful bacteria and helps to fight infection,” said Maya Bunik, MD, MSPH, Medical Director of the Child Health Clinic at The Children’s Hospital and Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine. “The benefits are relative to how much breast milk is consumed, so the less supplementation with formula and the longer the infant is breastfed, the more protection will be offered against diseases.”

For more information about breastfeeding or to access lactation resources, visit www.thechildrenshospital.org and search for “breastfeeding.”