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According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, breastfeeding for the first six months of a baby’s life should be recommended. This is because studies have been done all over the world showing that newborns have less severe illnesses if they have exclusively been breastfed for the first months of their lives. The benefits of breastfeeding include protection from certain illnesses such as, stomach viruses, respiratory illnesses, ear infections, and meningitis. The main reason is from the colostrum the breast produces after giving birth. This provides a protective layer of mucus membrane to protect the baby’s intestines, nose, and throat from germs.

Health benefits later in life

Scientist believe the antibodies in the breast milk give a boost beyond breastfeeding, and can reduce a child’s risk of certain cancers. Even later in life, they may have protection form different diseases such as, diabetes, high cholesterol, inflammatory bowel diseases, and even high blood pressure. Also, as bottle feeding babies tend to have more allergies as they grow.

Intellectual Benefits

In a study of 17,000 infants from birth to age six years, researchers found the IQ scores were significantly higher among the breastfed children. And the study showed, the breastfed babies had higher scores in vocabulary at five years of age.  Another  interesting fact found,  the scores were higher the longer they had been nursed.

Breastfeeding may reduce chance of obesity

The American Journal of Epidemiology, published studies showing that breast feeding can reduce the risk of a child becoming overweight or obese in childhood or later in life.

Breastfeeding lowers risk of SIDS

A SIDS, (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), study was conducted in Germany in 2009, it concluded exclusive breastfeeding by one month of age cut the risk of SIDS in half.

Protection from Wheezing

In the article, “Breastfeeding and Lower Respiratory Tract Illnesses In The First Year of Life”, from British Medical Journal, 1989, says that breastfeeding protects against wheezing, and respiratory tract illnesses in the first four months of life, particularly when other risk factors are present.

Social Development

According to “Psycho-motor and Social Development of Breastfed and Bottle fed babies during the first year of life”, by C Baumgartner, Acta Paediatrica Hungaria, the social development of breastfed babies has a clearly significant advantage over bottle fed babies at the age of twelve months.

So in conclusion, breastfeeding offers many benefits for the baby. Their immune system is enhanced, offering protection not only  as a child but possibly over the course of their life. Even their intelligence could be enhanced.  By breastfeeding, you are giving your child the benefit of the very best start in life possible.

Useful links on breastfeeding

Breastfeeding Guide on NHS website.