Even if only just a few drops, the breastmilk your body produces for your baby has amazing health benefits!
Benefits of Breastmilk
Dating back to ancient history, human milk has been known to be “a living tissue.”
We call it that, because we know it contains enzymes, immunoglobulins, pro-and-prebiotics, leukocytes, macrophages, prostaglandins, cytokines, growth factors and more. All of these fancy names describe the active living cells in the body, that are involved in protecting our immune systems. Therefore it is not a surprise, on a microscopic level, that human milk is biologically perfect to meet the needs of the immature (but quickly growing) infant!
There is an abundance of evidence, for why breastfeeding duration is important. This is divided into ANY breastfeeding and EXCLUSIVE breastfeeding.
Exclusive breastfeeding for three or more months has been found to reduce the risk of many common childhood illnesses such as ear infections, upper respiratory tract infections (URI) and nose/throat infections.
There is a well documented history of reduced burden on the healthcare system, with less hospitalizations for lower respiratory tract infections like pneumonia and respiratory syncytial viral bronchiolitis (RSV) with exclusive breastfeeding for more than four months.
Any breastfeeding is linked to a reduction in viral gastrointestinal infections (vomiting/diarrhea bug) for up to two months after cessation of breastfeeding.
The incidence of SIDS is reduced by 36% with any breastfeeding duration over 1 month.
In preterm infants, the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is reduced by 77% if the infant is provided exclusive maternal or donor expressed breastmilk instead of cow’s milk formula.
Diagnosis of common childhood chronic conditions such as asthma and eczema have also been found to be decreased in infants that were exclusively breastfed for more than three months.
The incidence of serious chronic conditions such as type II diabetes and obesity have been found to be lower among infants who received any breast milk.
There is a reduction in leukemia rates by 15-20% for infants breastfed longer than six months.
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
Recognizes infant nutrition, NOT as a "lifestyle choice", but as a public health imperative, with positive health outcomes impacting children for their lifetime.
Recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life, with continued breastfeeding beyond 1 year as mutually desirable.
World Health Organization (WHO)
Recognizes breastfeeding as one of the most effective ways to ensure child health and survival. They note that inappropriate marketing of breast-milk substitutes continues to undermine efforts to improve breastfeeding rates and duration worldwide.
Recommends that children initiate breastfeeding within the first hour of birth and be exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months of life – meaning no other foods or liquids are provided, including water.
Infants should be breastfed on demand – that is as often as the child wants, day and night. No bottles, teats or pacifiers should be used.
From the age of 6 months, children should begin eating safe and adequate complementary foods while continuing to breastfeed for up to 2 years and beyond.
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References:
Eidelman, A., & Schanler, R. (2012). American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Policy Statement: Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk. Pediatrics. 129(3), 827-837.
Feldman-Winter, L., Ustianov, J., Anastasio, J., Butts-Dion, S., Heinrich, P., Merewood, A., Bugg, K, Donohue-Rolfe, S., & Homer, C. (2017). Best Fed Beginnings: A Nationwide QI Initiative to Increase Breastfeeding. Pediatrics. 140(1), 1-9.
Ip S., Chung, M., Raman, G., Chew, P., Magula, N., DeVine, D., Trinkalinos, T., & Lau, J. (2007). Breastfeeding and Maternal and Infant Health Outcomes in Developed Countries:Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).Report No 07-E007. 153.
Wambach, K., & Riordan, J. (2016). Breastfeeding and Human Lactation. Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett.
World Health Organization (WHO) Policy Statement. (January, 2011). Exclusive breastfeeding for six months best for babies everywhere.
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