Breastfeeding Protects Babies
Breastmilk is the biologically normal food for human babies. Some of the consequences of not receiving human milk can include:
- Decreased IQ by up to 8 points and delayed neurobiological development
- Increased rates of illness, especially gastrointestinal and respiratory
- For premature infants, increased risk of contracting necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) or sepsis which can result in serious illness or death
- Increased risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
- Increased rates of allergies, especially if given artificial milk during the first four months of life
- Decreased immunological response to injected vaccines
- Increased risk of obesity, high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, autoimmune diseases, and some cancers later in life.
Breastfeeding Protects Mothers
Women who do not breastfeed for any length of time may be at increased risk for:
- Premenopausal breast cancer
- Ovarian, uterine and thyroid cancer
- Osteoporosis
- Type 2 diabetes (if they had gestational diabetes)
- High blood pressure
- Autoimmune disorders
- Post-partum depression.
The list is excerpted from the Breastfeeding USA Statement on Breastfeeding by Sharon Knorr, IBCLC.
Here are some more references:
“Normal” is a very scary word by Diane Wiessinger MS, IBCLC
The Risks of Not Breastfeeding for Mothers and Infants by Alison Stuebe, MD, MSc
Risks of Formula Feeding
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