Benefits of Breastfeeding

by Brenna Leah Cashman, BHSc., RNCP

Five Surprising Benefits of Breastfeeding

We’ve all heard it many times – breast is best.  The question is why?  Here are some less well known benefits of mother’s milk.


1.    Breastfed babies cope better later in life than bottle fed babies.  A British study involving 9000 children found that children who had been breastfed were significantly less anxious than those who had been bottle fed, even accounting for all factors that could influence a child’s reactions to stress.  Among children who had experienced parental divorce or separation, those who had been breastfed were found to be more resilient against the psychosocial stress.

2.    Breastfeeding can help new mothers fight depression.  Post-partum stress is one of the factors contributing to post-partum depression.  Breastfeeding can help protect against this in two important ways.  Since breastfeeding mothers have been found to react less to stress than those who bottle feed, post-partum stress levels are lower.  Breastfeeding also acts as a natural mood regulator.  This is only true however, when breastfeeding is going well.  If there are difficulties or pain involved this can actually be a trigger for depression.  Helping mothers who are having difficulty breastfeeding is especially important for the mother’s mental health.

3.    Breastfeeding reduces the risk of cancer.  According to a recent study, a woman’s risk of breast cancer is decreased by 4.3% for every 12 months of breastfeeding.  The risk is further decreased by 7% for every child born.  Breastfeeding has also been found to have a protective effect against uterine, ovarian and endometrial cancers.

4.    Breastfeeding helps boost a child’s health.  Babies are less likely to develop allergies or serious illness.  They also have lower rates of diarrhea, ear infections, bacterial meningitis, urinary tract infections, and lower respiratory infections.  Later in life, children who have been breastfed have lower risks of developing diabetes, leukemia, and lymphoma.

5.    Breastfeeding rebuilds mom’s bones.  Although nursing actually causes bone loss in areas such as the hips, wrists and spine, within two years of delivery, the bone is completely replaced with fresh new bone.  This amazing cycle of bone remodeling allows the mother’s body to repair any minor flaws or micro-fractures.  Since micro-fractures contribute to the risk of osteoporosis fractures, breastfeeding can be a preventative measure.