Breastfeeding is a natural and amazing experience between mother and baby, which not only facilitates bonding but also provides perfect nutrition and immunity to your baby. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the World Health Organization both recommend breastfeeding as the only source of food until an infant reaches 6 months old, at which time solid foods may be introduced with breast milk continued until at least 12 months old. WHO goes on to recommend extending the breastfeeding relationship until age 2 and beyond, as long as the relationship is desired by both mother and baby. These recommendations are made based on the healthy benefits to both mother and baby, which cannot be fully replicated by formula feeding.
Immune System Benefits
The benefits of breast milk on the immune system are manifold: One drop of breast milk contains roughly 1 million white blood cells -- the cells your body uses to fight infection. Your breastfed baby receives antibodies, enzymes and immune factors in the milk, which give his fragile immunity a boost. As a bonus, if you encounter a mild illness such as a cold or flu while breastfeeding, your breast milk may protect your baby from ever getting sick. The antibodies your body makes to fight the infection are passed to your baby via breast milk. Thus, if your baby is exposed to the same germs, he may get a much milder case of the flu or avoid it altogether. Breastfed babies experience fewer problems with common ailments including ear infections, diarrhea, vomiting, pneumonia, urinary tract infections and certain types of spinal meningitis.
Childhood Illnesses
Breastfeeding has been found to reduce the risk of childhood illnesses compared to what infants who are formula-fed experience. When babies come into the world they have limited immunity of their own, as they have been sheltered in the womb for 9 months. The immunities human milk provides help to mature a baby's immune system, providing protection against various illnesses. In fact, research has repeatedly found that breastfed babies are healthier overall. Breastfeeding has been shown to decrease the risk of numerous illnesses including, but not limited to, childhood cancer, diabetes, appendicitis, influenza Type B, meningitis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, infant botulism, cholera, salmonella, E. coli and respiratory syncytial virus. Breastfeeding has also been shown to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome, and reduce the incidence of infant reflux.
Breastfeeding and Allergies
Breast milk also contains high levels of immunoglobulin A, which coats the lining of the intestines, protecting your baby from the penetration of germs. This protective coating also helps prevent allergic reactions in your baby by stopping foreign food molecules from entering the bloodstream and triggering an allergic reaction. Breastfed babies are less likely to have milk allergies and suffer from the skin condition eczema; these conditions are thought to be reduced by the immunity-boosting properties in breast milk. Breastfeeding may protect even children born into a family with a strong history of food and other allergies.
Other Health Benefits
While breastfeeding may only occur for a relatively small portion of your child's life, the benefits may last a lifetime. Breastfed babies are found to have a higher IQ, as the cholesterol and good fats in human milk help with the growth of nerve tissue in the brain. They may be less likely to require orthodontics, due to the muscle development suckling the breast causes in the muscles of the mouth. Other potential benefits breastfed babies may enjoy are lower cholesterol as adults, decreased risk of Crohns disease, decreased risk of ulcerative colitis in adulthood, decreased chance of obesity later in life and a lower incidence of developing both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Breastfed babies also enjoy psychological benefits, as the act of breastfeeding itself facilitates an emotional bond between mother and baby. Breastfeeding releases hormones in the mothers body as well, so she experiences a sense of emotional closeness while breastfeeding her baby.
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