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Abby Hughes

Ms. Sobocinski

English Composition II

23 March 2020

What are the overall benefits of breast milk for a mother and her child?

As with many things in life, people can make decisions themselves. But how do you

make a decision for a newborn child? The studies completed showing the results after nourishing

a child with breast milk may make this decision easier. Not only that, but the benefits produced

for the mother may also alter your perspective.

After various studies, it is clear that breast milk shows amazing short term effects for a

child. Human milk contains antibodies, leukocytes, and carbohydrates that fight against viruses,

bacteria, and parasites (“Benefits of Breastfeeding”). Breastfeeding acts as a source of lactose

and essential fatty acids that helps a baby’s brain grow and develop quicker. Not only that, but

breast milk also helps to regulate healthy bacteria in a baby’s gut. Babies that are breastfed have

fewer cases of ear infections, bacterial meningitis, urinary tract infections, gastrointestinal

infections, and much more (Church). Unlike formula, breastmilk is a free source of perfectly

balanced food that adapts to meet the nutritional needs of a child. Additionally, breast milk helps

to fight against illnesses due to contaminated water which is used in formula (Hale).

Breast milk also contains benefits for a child that lasts long term. Studies have shown that

children nourished with breastmilk ultimately have a higher IQ later in life. With that, children

breastfed have a lower risk of obesity later in life. Lastly, when a breastfed child becomes an

adult, they have a lower risk to food allergies, asthma, eczema, Type I and Type II diabetes, and

more (Church).
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So, what is in it for the mother? There are various short term health benefits for the

mother. To begin, breast feeding helps to reduce the risk of breast cancer for the mother herself.

Not only that, but it also helps aid in weight loss after child birth by aiding in contraction of the

uterus to reduce it to pre-pregnancy size (Hale). Breastfeeding also helps to decrease the amount

of bleeding after delivery (Patel). In addition to that, breast feeding also benefits the mother

long-term. For example, women who breastfeed have a higher bone density and will have a

lower risk to osteoporosis later in life (Church).

Overall, the health benefits for breast feeding impact not only the child, but also the

mother. Breast feeding is proven to aid in protection for an infant and for the mother. Due to

these statistics, it is apparent breast feeding should be implemented to help the child and mother

immediately after child birth and in the future.

Bibliography
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“Benefits of Breastfeeding.” Nutrition in Clinical Care, vol. 6, no. 3, Oct. 2003, pp. 125–

131. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?

direct=true&db=a9h&AN=22450600&site=ehost-live.

Hale, Rachel. “Infant Nutrition and the Benefits of Breastfeeding.” British Journal of

Midwifery, vol. 15, no. 6, June 2007, pp. 368–371. EBSCOhost,

doi:10.12968/bjom.2007.15.6.23684.

Obidegwu, Ijeoma. “Women's Health Care Physicians.” ACOG, The American College

of Obstetricians and Gynecologists , 2019, www.acog.org/About-ACOG/ACOG-

Departments/Breastfeeding/Breastfeeding-Resources?IsMobileSet=false.

Patel, Dr. Tulsie N. “ABC News VIDEO LIVE SHOWS 2020 ELECTIONS Search

Headlines, News and Video... LOG IN Breastfeeding Benefits Mom, Baby and the

Environment: Formula's Environmental Impact.” ABC News, ABC News Network, 14

Oct. 2019, abcnews.go.com/US/breastfeeding-benefits-mom-baby-environment-

formulas-environmental-impact/story?id=66192843.

“The Short- and Long-Term Benefits of Breastfeeding.” CWS, cwsglobal.org/the-short-

and-long-term-benefits-of-breastfeeding/.