The Benefits of Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is one of the most important things a mother can do to protect the health of her children and provide nourishment for them. It is recommended by doctors to exclusively breastfeed throughout the first six months of an infants’ life and as long as reasonable after that. In fact, the global average for breastfeeding children is four years. Coming from an anthropological background (I am a biological anthropologist who studies breeding and parenting in primates), breastfeeding is seen in apes for around 5-6 years and is an essential food in the process of infants learning to procure and consume solid foods for themselves.
Colostrum: liquid gold
As the very first food, nutrient dense colostrum helps prepare the baby’s gut microbiome to consume milk (and eventually other foods). It is so important because it contains antibodies and growth factors that help to develop the gut. It also acts as a laxative to help baby pass meconium and bilirubin that has built up during the pregnancy.
Gut health and the immune system
After a few days, regular milk comes in, which provides excellent benefits to the developing baby. The underlying premise of most of the benefit of breast milk is the strong gut microbiome it builds, as well as the antibodies it provides. So much of our overall health is linked to the health of our guts, including the function of our immune systems.
Infants who were exclusively breastfed were shown in studies to have
Lower rates of asthma, allergies, and eczema. These are all illnesses ultimately linked to the strength of the gut.
Less infections due to the immune protection breastmilk provides. For example, breastfed babies have less ear, throat, sinus, and lower respiratory infections.
Lower rates of major autoimmune diseases like childhood leukemia, and other major illnesses such as necrotizing enterocolitis and childhood obesity.
73% lower risk of dying from sudden infant death syndrome.
Benefits to the breastfeeding parent
Breastfeeding is also incredibly beneficial to patents. Some of these benefits have to do with the suppression of ovulation and lower concentrations of estrogen in the mother’s body while breastfeeding.
For example, for every 12 months a mother breastfeeds, she reduces her breast cancer risk by 4.3%, and after 13 months she reduces her ovarian cancer risk by 63% (compared to 7 months spent breastfeeding).
After 31 months, she reduces her ovarian cancer risk by 91% (compared to 10 months).
Moms who exclusively breastfeed are half as likely to develop type 2 diabetes compared to mothers who do not.
Over $3000 a year can be saved on formula, bottles, etc. Money is also saved in the form of less doctors visits due to the protective power of breastmilk.
Finally, breastfeeding is a wonderful opportunity for bonding between mother and child. Breastfeeding releases oxytocin, “the love hormone”, which helps mothers to develop deep admiration for their babies and the desire to care for them.
