Benefits of breastfeeding

According to Infant Benefits of Breastfeeding by Richard J Schanler, MD, there are so

many benefits that come with breastfeeding rather than formula-feeding. Breastfeeding plays a

huge role in numerous factors of an infant’s well-being including his or her gastrointestinal

system, host defense, weight, visual function, and psychological development (Schanler 2016).

Components exist in breastmilk that improve the gastrointestinal system’s ability to grow and

mobilize contents (Schanler 2016). These components work by stimulating and protecting the

gastrointestinal system (Schanler 2016). Cortisol, growth factors similar to insulin, thyroid

hormone, and insulin are hormones found in breastmilk that stimulate the growth of the

gastrointestinal system and mucosal performance (Schanler 2016). White blood cells play the

biggest role in fighting infections and breastmilk contains white blood cells which then get

passed on to the infant. A huge majority, about ninety percent, of the white blood cells in

breastmilk are neutrophils and macrophages (Schanler 2016). The destruction of infectious cells

through phagocytosis is done with the help from neutrophils and macrophages, which is how

breastmilk contributes to the ability to fight infections in infants. Not only does the presence of

white blood cells help to protect the infant from infections, but the presence of antibodies in

breastmilk does so as well. An example of an infection that newborns are potentially at risk for

developing is gastroenteritis. Gastroenteritis can occur in episodes and symptoms include severe

vomiting and diarrhea that may lead to hospitalization (Schanler 2016). Symptoms of

gastroenteritis can last for forty-eight hours or more (Schanler 2016). If a mother chooses to

breastfeed rather than bottle-feed, she can reduce her infant’s risk for gastroenteritis during the

first thirteen weeks after birth (Schanler 2016). According to a study performed by the Centers

for Disease Control and Prevention, breastfeeding contributes to a lower risk of a child becoming
overweight among non-Hispanic white children if that child was breastfed during his or her first

six to twelve weeks of life versus never getting breastfed at all (Schanler 2016). Visual function

is likely to be better in a breastfed infant than in a formula-fed infant and this is due to the

presence of docosahexaenoic acid in human milk (Schanler 2016). Docosahexaenoic acid is

found in the brain, red blood cell membranes, and retinas of the eyes which is why the presence

of this acid contributes to the visual function of an infant (Schanler 2016). Lastly, psychological

development is affected by stress reduction found in breastfed infants. Oxytocin and Prolactin

are lactation hormones that cause a positive effect on an infant’s connection with his or her

mother, meaning maternal-infant bonding becomes stronger (Schanler 2016). This stronger

bonding experience between the infant and the mother cause stress reduction in the infant.

According to The Risks of Not Breastfeeding for Mothers and Infants by Alison Stuebe,

MD, MSc, breastfeeding plays a huge role in preventing respiratory complications and SIDS in

infants. Based off of a meta-analysis of seven studies of full-term infants with no complications,

Bachrach and associates found that a 3.6 fold increased risk for lower respiratory tract infections,

like pneumonia for example, was found in infants who were formula-fed rather than breastfed

(Stuebe 2009). This study also concluded that infants who were entirely breastfed for greater

than four months did not face this high risk for lower respiratory tract infections (Stuebe 2009).

Studies suggest that if a mother chooses to formula-feed rather than breastfeed, there is a 1.6-2.1

fold increased risk for SIDS (Stuebe 2009). It is recommended that not only should mothers of

infants be encouraged to have their babies sleeping alone, on his or her back, in the crib, but

mothers should also be encouraged to breastfeed rather than formula-feed to decrease the infant’s

risk for SIDS (Stuebe 2009).

 Works Cited

Schanler, R. J. (2016). Infant benefits of breastfeeding. Retrieved from

https://www.uptodate.com/contents/infant-benefits-of-breastfeeding

Stuebe, A. (2009). The Risks of Not Breastfeeding for Mothers and Infants. Retrieved from

https://www.umanitoba.ca/faculties/health_sciences/medicine/units/obstetrics_gynecolog

y/media/The_risks_of_not_breastfeeding_for_mothers_and_infants.pdf