According to The American Academy of Pediatrics, breastfeeding results in improved infant and maternal outcomes if infants breastfed exclusively for months six months (2012). Studies show significant reduction of risks for the following diseases (American Academy of Peidatrics, 2012):
respiratory tract infections and otitis media – by 72%
gastrointestinal tract infections- by 64%
necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) – by 77%.
SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome)- by 36%, or 900 infants per year.
allergic diseases: asthma, atopic dermatitis and eczema – by 27%
developing of celiac disease – by 52%
childhood inflammatory bowel disease – by 31%
adolescent and adult obesity later in life- by 15-30%
childhood leukemia and lymphoma – by 20%
Besides, human milk positively affects neurodevelopmental outcomes: babies become smarter, they show higher intelligence rates as evidenced by teacher ratings.
In addition, there are considerable short- and long-term benefits of breastfeeding for preterm infant such as lower rate of sepsis, NEC, neurodevelopmental disabilities, also reduced rates of readmissions in the year after NICU discharge.
Moreover, mothers who breastfeed also obtain health benefits such as decreased postpartum blood loss, more rapid involution of the uterus, decrease of postpartum depression and rate of child abuse/neglect. Long-term benefits include risk reduction in development of rheumatoid arthritis, breast and ovarian cancer.
It is also worth mentioning the economic benefit of breastfeeding. A report from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality concluded that “if 90% of US mothers would comply with the recommendation to breastfeed exclusively for 6 months, there would be a savings of $13 billion per year” (American Academy of Peidatrics, 2012).
To sum up, multiple studies show significant short- and long-term health benefits for breastfed infants such as reduced risk of many diseases and improved neurodevelopmental outcomes. Mothers who breastfeed also get substantial health benefits in postpartum period and thereafter. Besides, billions of dollars could have been saved if mothers complied with the exclusive breastfeeding recommendations
