Breast milk has a unique and dynamic composition tailored for human infants, while infant formula aims to mimic but cannot replicate the exact complexity of breast milk. It provides antibodies, live cells, and enzymes that support the infant’s immune system and digestion, which are absent in infant formula.

AAP and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, recommend babies be fed exclusively with breast milk for the first six months. Breast milk’s unique antibodies help protect infants from numerous illnesses and diseases. Breastfeeding also helps reduce a nursing mother’s risk of diabetes, breast and ovarian cancers and post-partum depression.

Breastfeeding has both environmental and economic benefits since it eliminates the cost and waste associated with formula production and plastic bottles. Depending on the formula brand, breastfeeding also may save your family $1,000 to $4,000 per year.

Breastfeeding Rates in the United States (2019 CDC Data):

• 84.1% of infants started breastfeeding
• 58.3% were still breastfeeding at 6 months
• 35.3% were still breastfeeding at 12 months
• 46.9% of infants were exclusively breastfed through 3 months
• 25.6% were exclusively breastfed through 6 months
• 90.3% of infants born to Hispanic mothers started breastfeeding
• 73.6% of infants born to non-Hispanic Black mothers started breastfeeding

Breastfeeding offers numerous benefits for both the mother and the child, but it also comes with some potential challenges or pitfalls.

Benefits for the Child:

1. Nutritional Value: Breast milk is considered the ideal source of nutrition for infants. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), breast milk contains all the nutrients an infant needs in the first six months of life, including antibodies that help protect against infections and diseases.
2. Cognitive Development: Several studies have linked breastfeeding to higher cognitive development in children. A study published in the journal Pediatrics found that children who were breastfed scored higher on intelligence tests than those who were not breastfed (Kramer et al., 2008).
3. Protection against Illnesses: Breastfed infants have a lower risk of developing various illnesses, including ear infections, respiratory infections, and gastrointestinal infections, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

Benefits for the Mother:

1. Postpartum Weight Loss: Breastfeeding can help mothers lose the weight gained during pregnancy more quickly. According to a study published in the International Breastfeeding Journal, exclusive breastfeeding for six months was associated with a significant decrease in postpartum weight retention (Jarlenski et al., 2014).
2. Reduced Risk of Certain Cancers: Breastfeeding has been associated with a reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancers in women. A meta-analysis published in the Annals of Oncology found that women who breastfed had a lower risk of developing breast cancer compared to those who did not breastfeed (Collaborative Group on Hormonal Factors in Breast Cancer, 2002).
3. Emotional Bonding: Breastfeeding promotes a strong emotional bond between the mother and the child, which can have long-lasting positive effects on the child’s emotional and social development (AAP).

Pitfalls for the Child:

1. Potential Nutrient Deficiencies: If the mother’s diet is inadequate or if the child has certain medical conditions, breast milk alone may not provide sufficient nutrients, especially after the first six months (AAP).
2. Risk of Exposure to Contaminants: Breast milk can contain environmental contaminants, such as pesticides or heavy metals, if the mother is exposed to them (WHO, 2020).
3. Potential Risk of Jaundice: Breastfed infants have a slightly higher risk of developing jaundice, a condition characterized by yellowing of the skin and eyes, due to the higher levels of bilirubin in breast milk (AAP).

Pitfalls for the Mother:

1. Discomfort and Pain: Many mothers experience challenges such as sore nipples, engorgement, and mastitis during breastfeeding, which can be painful and discourage them from continuing (NHS, 2020).
2. Sleep Deprivation: Breastfeeding can be demanding, especially during the early months, as the mother may need to wake up frequently to feed the baby, leading to sleep deprivation and fatigue.
3. Social Stigma: Despite efforts to promote breastfeeding, some mothers may face societal stigma or lack of support, making it difficult for them to breastfeed in public or maintain their breastfeeding routine.

Before Your Baby Arrives

The third trimester of pregnancy is a great time to learn about breastfeeding, so you can be informed and confident when the baby is born.

• Take a breastfeeding class. Check availability at your hospital, doctor’s office or Women, Infants and Children (WIC) clinic. Learn about community resources such as lactation consultants, so you’ll know where to go with questions or concerns.
• Read about it. Check out books and pamphlets from the clinic, hospital or library. The more you know, the more relaxed you’ll be in your new role as a breastfeeding mom.
• Prepare your home. Find a comfortable chair with good arm and back support. If you are comfortable and well supported, it will be easier to hold and nurse your baby.
• Tell everyone about your plans to breastfeed. Let your family, friends, doctor, hospital nurses and pediatrician know your plan to give only breast milk to your baby and that you’ll need their support.
• Talk with your employer. Many businesses are required to allow nursing mothers time and a private space, other than a bathroom, to express their breast milk for the first year after pregnancy.

It’s important to note that the benefits of breastfeeding generally outweigh the potential pitfalls, and many of the challenges can be addressed with proper support, education, and guidance from healthcare professionals.

Sources:

• World Health Organization (WHO). (2020). Breastfeeding. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/health-topics/breastfeeding
• American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). (2012). Breastfeeding and the use of human milk. Pediatrics, 129(3), e827-e841.
• Kramer, M. S., et al. (2008). Breastfeeding and child cognitive development: new evidence from a large randomized trial. Archives of General Psychiatry, 65(5), 578-584.
• Jarlenski, M. P., et al. (2014). Breastfeeding and weight loss among women. International Breastfeeding Journal, 9(1), 1-9.
• Collaborative Group on Hormonal Factors in Breast Cancer. (2002). Breast cancer and breastfeeding: collaborative reanalysis of individual data from 47 epidemiological studies in 30 countries, including 50302 women with breast cancer and 96973 women without the disease. Lancet, 360(9328), 187-195.
• NHS. (2020). Breastfeeding: challenges. Retrieved from https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/breastfeeding-and-bottle-feeding/breastfeeding/common-breastfeeding-problems/