Babies’ best bet is breast

You've probably heard it said that "breast is best" when it comes to babies. But exactly what are the reasons that health experts recommend breastfeeding so strongly? Twenty years of research have established that breast milk is superior to bottle-feeding for a number of reasons:

Breastfed babies have lower rates of hospital admissions, ear infections, diarrhea, rashes, allergies and other medical problems than bottle-fed babies.
Human milk contains just the right amount of fatty acids, lactose, water and amino acids for human digestion, brain development and growth. Colostrum, a thick yellow, protein-rich nutrient is produced by the mother's breasts in the first few days after birth. This substance provides all your baby needs for nutrition in the first few days of life.
Breastfed babies have fewer illnesses because human milk transfers to the baby a mother's antibodies to disease. Breastfed babies are protected (in varying degrees) from pneumonia, botulism, bronchitis, staphylococcal infections, influenza, ear infections and German measles.
Mothers produce antibodies to whatever disease is present in their environment so milk is "custom-made" to fight the diseases that babies are exposed to as well.
A breastfed baby's digestive tract contains large amounts of Lactobacillus bifidus, which is a good bacterium that prevents the growth of harmful organisms.
Mother's milk is always clean and never contaminated by polluted water or dirty bottles, which can also lead to diarrhea in a baby.
Mother's milk has at least 200 ingredients not found in formula. No babies are allergic to their mother's milk, although they might have a reaction to something she eats.
Sucking at the breast promotes good jaw development because it's harder work to get milk out of a breast than a bottle. This encourages the growth of straight, healthy teeth.
Nursing may have psychological benefits, too, creating an early attachment between you and your child. Studies have found that babies as young as 1 week prefer the smell of their own mother's milk to that of formula.
There are no bottles to sterilize and no formula to mix, measure and buy.
Nursing also stimulates the uterus to return to its original size.
Nursing your baby will make certain that you sit down and relax on a regular basis, encouraging you to get the rest you need. It's important to sit down, put your feet up and relax.

Are there disadvantages?

Wonderful as breastfeeding is, there can be problems if not done correctly. Although it doesn't happen to all nursing mothers, some women's nipples become sore or cracked. You may also experience engorgement. This means your breasts are so full of milk that they are hard and painful. There is also the chance of getting a clogged milk duct, or mastitis, a painful infection of the breast. This requires prompt medical attention.

If you do plan to breastfeed, try to learn as much about it as possible before the baby is born. Your doctor or midwife can help you or recommend a lactation expert. A friend who has breast-fed can be of great help. Or you can turn to the La Leche League, a national support organization for nursing mothers. To find a local chapter, call 1-800-LA-LECHE.

How long should you breastfeed?

A baby needs breast milk for the first year of life. Other than this, there really aren't any hard and fast rules about when to stop, and babies benefit from breast milk far beyond the first year. Some women may nurse for a couple of years. In 1993, 55.9 percent of American mothers breastfed their babies in the hospital. Only 19 percent were still breastfeeding when their babies were 6 months old. Health experts are working to raise those numbers.

Who shouldn't breastfeed?

There are a small number of medications used to treat chronic health problems that would make it unsafe for a woman to nurse. Review any medications with your doctor to check for compatibility with breastfeeding. Also, some women just aren't comfortable with breastfeeding for social and emotional reasons. Babies can thrive on formula and this choice does allow more partner participation in feeding.

Breastfeeding is generally contraindicated (not recommended) for mothers with HIV infections. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.

Date last reviewed: October 2002.

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