What Are the Benefits of Breastfeeding?

Breastfeeding can be a wonderful, cozy, bonding experience for many moms. It also provides great health benefits to babies, according to research. 

Yet many of these studies have problems with bias, meaning their results are not as straightforward as we’d like. So while there are certainly benefits of breastfeeding, they may not be as significant as the studies suggest. Let’s dig in.

Benefits of breastfeeding for a baby

The American Academy of Pediatricians, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the World Health Organization all recommend breastfeeding for at least the first 6 months of life. This is because studies have demonstrated many health benefits for breastfed babies. They tend to have:

• Fewer infections: Breast milk contains antibodies from mom that can help protect against common illnesses. Studies show breastfeeding reduces the risk of diarrhea. Some studies (but not all) suggest breastfeeding is also associated with fewer colds, ear infections, and other respiratory illnesses.

• Lower incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis: This can be a severe and life-threatening illness, especially for preterm infants. 

• Lower rates of infant mortality (death): Some evidence supports this, but other studies have not confirmed this finding.

• Lower rates of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS): Breastfeeding is associated with a 36% reduced risk of SIDS.

Long-term benefits of breastfeeding as children grow into adults

Whether or not breastfeeding has health benefits beyond infancy is much less clear. There have been claims that breastfed children grow up to have lower risk of diabetes and obesity. But evidence to support these claims is mixed. Some show benefits while others show little to no difference. 

Additionally, some studies suggest breastfeeding confers long-term cognitive benefits (intelligence, for example). But there are problems with the quality of these studies. Those that are of better quality do not show any long-term cognitive benefit.

What makes breast milk so nutritious?

The primary nutritional components of breast milk are protein, fat, and lactose. The amounts of each nutrient vary from mother to mother, between feedings, and throughout the length of time you are breastfeeding. 

Breast milk also contains essential vitamins and minerals such as vitamins A, B6, B12, and iodine. Breast milk usually does not have enough vitamin D, so breastfed babies often need a vitamin D supplement. 

The largest benefit of breast milk, however, most likely comes from components like antibodies, growth factors, and prebiotics (more on this below).

Is pumping considered breastfeeding?

Pumping breast milk will give your baby most of the potential benefits of breastfeeding. And it allows you to share the pleasure and responsibility of feeding with another caregiver. Feeding pumped milk may not give you the same skin-to-skin bonding time, but you can get that in other ways. Just know that freezing and thawing pumped milk may decrease some of breast milk’s benefits.

Physical and emotional benefits for mothers who breastfeed

In addition to the potential benefits for your baby, nursing can have both physical and emotional benefits for the parent. But it depends on the situation. Again, the evidence is mixed and it’s hard to generalize since every person’s experience is different. The experience can even be different for the same person from one baby to the next.  

Physical benefits of breastfeeding

Experts generally agree that breastfeeding reduces the risk of breast cancer.  

It’s possible there may also be other benefits, such as: 

• Lower risk of ovarian cancer

• Lower risk of uterine cancer

• Lower risk of thyroid cancer

• Lower risk of Type 2 diabetes

• Lower blood pressure

But again, the evidence here is mixed, at best. 

Emotional benefits of breastfeeding

Breastfeeding can deepen the emotional attachment between you and your baby in the early weeks and months. For many new moms, breastfeeding can also help with: 

• Sleep

• Stress 

• Mood

But this is not a general rule. Those who enjoy nursing are more likely to experience these benefits. If breastfeeding is difficult or painful for you, and your baby doesn’t enjoy it, then it’s less likely you’ll get any of these benefits. Painful and difficult breastfeeding is linked to an increased risk of postpartum depression and discontinuation of breastfeeding.

Is breastfeeding healthier than baby formula?

It depends. For many parents, breastfeeding is the best way to feed their baby. It offers the most complete and digestible source of nutrition. It also provides bonding time and health benefits for moms. 

But not everyone can breastfeed. In that case, formula can provide appropriate nutrition for your baby. As experts learn more about the best ways to feed infants, infant formula has improved. Manufacturers have added nutrients, making formula more nutritious.

Are there disadvantages to breastfeeding?

Despite the advantages, there are also possible disadvantages to note: 

• Nursing can be frustrating and painful, especially at first. Lactation consultants can help, but they may not be accessible or available to everyone.

• A low supply of milk can affect your baby's growth. 

• Breastfeeding is not distributed equally between parents. 

What’s more, breastfeeding is not accessible to all parents. Adoptive parents or other caregivers do not have the option to nurse. Sometimes breastfeeding in public or at work is uncomfortable or impossible. Many working moms do not have enough time or space to pump and store their breast milk. Your breasts may leak milk, as well, which some may find embarrassing.

What are some complications with breastfeeding?

In addition to the disadvantages already mentioned, breastfeeding can cause:

• Sore or cracked nipples

• Clogged milk ducts

• Mastitis

• Thrush 

If I can’t breastfeed, what can I do to maximize the health and well-being of my baby?

It helps to find other ways to connect and bond with your baby. You can still snuggle and spend skin-to-skin time. You can also find a formula that you feel good about, and share the feeding responsibilities with your partner. 

Many moms feel guilty when they cannot breastfeed for whatever reason. Try to let it go or talk to someone you trust. Know that most, and possibly all, of the benefits of breastfeeding appear to be short term.

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Katherine Killoran, MD

Katherine Killoran, MD, is a board-certified gynecologist with more than 20 years of clinical experience.

Edited by:

Mandy Armitage, MD

Mandy Armitage, MD, has combined her interests in clinical medicine with her passion for education and content development for many years. She served as medical director for the health technology companies HealthLoop (now Get Well) and Doximity.

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