The Infant and Maternal Benefits of Breastfeeding

A mother’s nurturing ability begins in the womb, but undoubtedly continues well beyond the birth of her child. Although there are several ways to nourish an infant and numerous factors that impact this decision, various studies indicate the positive effects of breastfeeding for both mom and baby. Breastfeeding can host a multitude of benefits that lead to increased levels of bonding, better defense against infant illnesses, and protection from various cancers and diseases for the mother.

The connection between a mother and her baby is vital and the act of breastfeeding plays an important role in enhancing this unique bond. Due to the intimate social interactions between the mother and child, breastfeeding results in the release of the anti-stress hormone, oxytocin (Gribble, 2006). Oxytocin has the potential to enhance the affectionate feelings between the mother and baby, strengthening the attachment. The process of breastfeeding may also include eye contact, communication, and skin to skin touch (Liu et al., 2013). Paired with oxytocin, these repetitive behaviors in turn can lead to long-lasting feelings of connection and security between mother and baby.

In addition to helping promote a secure relationship, breastmilk provides the exact structure of optimal nutrition and antibodies for the infant. During each feeding, the milk is uniquely morphed to the exact needs of the child. It contains the appropriate blend of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, and overall calories to support a growing baby. Aside from this perfectly concocted nutritional blend, when the mother is exposed to certain bacteria and viruses, her body creates antibodies to such invaders that are then passed on to help protect baby. Researchers also believe that when a child is sick, the infant passes a signal through their saliva to the mother to create milk with more specific antibodies to combat the given illness (Hassiotou et al., 2013). Overall, human milk contains many hundreds to thousands of diverse bioactive molecules that defend against infection and inflammation, contributing to immune maturation, organ development, and healthy microbial colonization (Ballard & Morrow 2013). Given that the first few years of life are crucial for brain and immune system development, this form of precise nutrition and protection is essential for laying the foundation.

Though the process of breastfeeding is distinctively impactful to an infant, the mother too reaps several benefits of her own. Various studies have found a correlation between a decreased likelihood of developing certain cancers and diseases. According to Dieterich, et al., 2013, the risk of breast cancer decreased by 4.3% following each year of breastfeeding, indicating that longer spans of breastfeeding may increase protection against breast cancer. In another meta-analysis, there was a 28% lower risk of developing ovarian cancer among women who breastfed for at least 12 months in comparison to women who had never breastfed. Based on such research, breastfeeding exclusively and for longer durations results in the most optimal maternal health outcomes.

Although there are obvious advantages of breastfeeding, this is not always a possibility or suitable for every mother. Even though it is not feasible to replicate the exact components of breastmilk, “infant formula attempts to mimic the nutritional composition of breast milk as closely as possible” (Martin et al., 2016). The make-up of formula is strictly regulated and advancements have been made over the years for it to imitate breast milk to the best extent, making it a safe option for babies when necessary. During the first six months of a child’s life, optimum nutrition is important and if an infant lacks the access to breastmilk, formula is an effective alternative.

While the ultimate goal of any mother is to have a happy, healthy, and well fed baby, the benefits of breast milk cannot be overstated. As seen throughout, breastfeeding is not only crucial to infant health and development, but also plays a role in the likelihood of the mother avoiding detrimental diseases. This biological process is therefore multifaceted in its advantages, overall reducing the disease burden for both mothers and infants and improving quality of life.

References

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https://doi.org/10.1038/cti.2013.1

Liu, J., Leung, P., & Yang, A. (2013). Breastfeeding and active bonding protects against children's i internalizing behavior problems. Nutrients, 6(1), 76–89.

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