The benefits of breastfeeding for mothers and babies

If you are expecting a baby or have just given birth, it is important to know that breastfeeding or pumping breast milk is one of the most vital ways you can contribute to your child’s lifelong health.

Your breast milk provides the best nutrition and protection against infection while other components in your milk help your baby continue to develop. These and other human-specific properties are not available in infant formula.

Benefits of breastfeeding for babies

• Breast milk is full of nutrition, especially fats that help brain growth
• Sugars and proteins in breast milk are easier to digest than formula
• Breast milk contains many kinds of cells and antibodies that fight infection
• Breastfed babies generally have:
  • fewer ear, respiratory, urinary and gastrointestinal tract infections
  • less food allergies and asthma
  • lower risk of some childhood cancers
  •  protection against sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
  • lower rate of childhood obesity
  • fewer food aversions when they’re older

Benefits of breastfeeding for mothers

• Less risk of premenopausal breast cancer
• Lower chance of osteoporosis later in life
• Quicker return to pre-pregnancy weight
• Less chance of becoming pregnant before menstruation returns

Benefits of breastfeeding for both mother and baby

• A deeper mother and baby bond from close skin-to-skin contact and maternal hormones released during feeding
• Saves time
• Saves money
• Is better for the planet because it requires no packaging or manufacturing and causes no waste

Our team of lactation consultants is here to answer all your questions and help you with breastfeeding and pumping your milk. Learn more about the breastfeeding resources available from Children’s Wisconsin.