Benefits For Baby—Overview

Breast milk provides nutrients, hormones, and proteins that are essential for growth, brain development, and digestion.

The risk of infections of the middle ear, digestive system, and respiratory tract by providing natural antibodies (proteins that fight infection) is reduced by breast-feeding.

Babies experience fewer digestive problems with breast milk than with formula; breast milk includes enzymes to aid digestion and the absorption of nutrients.

Numerous immunological factors in breast milk provide protection against gastroenteritis, respiratory infections, otitis media, some cancers, juvenile diabetes, and allergic reactions. For infants with a strong family history of allergies, breast-feeding is an important preventive measure against allergies.

Protection against iron deficiency anemia is greater than that from cow’s milk or a non-iron-fortified formula. While the iron content of breast milk is lower than that of cow’s milk, it is better absorbed (50 percent versus 10 percent, respectively). The high lactose and vitamin C content of breast milk contributes to the increased absorption of iron.

Essential fatty acids such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in breast milk promote brain development and visual acuity.

The large quantity of lactose in breast milk contributes to the development of the
central nervous system and the intestinal flora.

Breast-fed infants have a reduced risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

There is no risk of overfeeding.

Breast-feeding promotes good jaw and tooth development.

Breast-feeding fosters the development of a strong maternal-infant bond.

There is no risk of improper mixing of formula with breast-feeding.