Benefits of Breastfeeding

Breast milk is nutritionally superior and provides many physical and emotional advantages to the baby, as well as benefits to the mother. By preventing many illnesses and diseases, breast milk is beneficial to all babies, and critical to the premature baby. Below are some of the benefits for both mother and baby.

Mother with baby

Good for Mothers

  • Saves money in formula and health care costs
  • Saves time with no bottles to prepare
  • Burns calories, which helps mothers return to pre-pregnancy weight faster
  • Releases hormones that promote relaxation and bonding
  • Makes traveling easier
  • Reduces diaper odor
  • Reduces the mother’s risk for cancer, diabetes, and osteoporosis
  • Helps the mother’s uterus return to its pre-pregnancy state
  • Helps prevent excessive bleeding following birth
  • Provides a special gift to baby that only their mother can provide
baby breastfeeding

Good for Babies

  • Made by nature to meet babies’ nutritional needs
  • Lowers incidence of infections, diarrhea, and hospitalizations
  • Reduces risk of allergic reactions and asthma
  • Reduces risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
  • Reduces risk of childhood cancers
  • Provides baby with the most easily digested food and reduces constipation
  • Promotes healthy growth and development
  • Reduces risk of obesity and diabetes
  • Promotes oral development
  • Transmits mother’s immunities to baby

These are just a few of the most important benefits of breastfeeding.

Read more about the benefits of human milk and breastfeeding by visiting: Why Breastfeeding is Important

Read more about the importance of breastfeeding and the public health perspective on breastfeeding in The Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding.