Advantages of Breastfeeding - Benefits of Breastfeeding for Mother & Child

Advantages of Breastfeeding - Benefits of Breastfeeding for Mother & Child
PACEDANDLE • April 1, 2023

What is Breastfeeding?

Breastfeeding, also known as nursing, is the process of feeding a baby with the mother's milk, either directly from the mother's breast or by pumping out milk and feeding it to the baby from a bottle.


Breastfeeding is one of the proven ways to make sure your infant's health. Breast milk is a complete food for babies, and it is safe, pure, and contains antibodies that help protect against many typical children's ailments. Breast milk fulfills the total energy and nutrients a baby needs during the first month of life, and continues to provide up to half or more of the nutrients a baby requires during the rest of the growing years. 


It has been seen that infants who have been breastfed are more associated with the benefits of breast milk and are likely to perform better on intelligence tests, are less liable to suffer from overweight or obesity, and are less prone to develop diabetes in a later stage of their lives. As advantages of breastfeeding, lactating women have a lower risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer.

Types of Breast Milk and Benefits of Breast Milk

There are three stages of breast milk, depending upon the duration of its production. All three types of breast milk are essential for infant nutrition, and the consistency of the milk gets thinner with the progression of the days. The stages of breastfeeding are as follows:

  1. Colostrum milk
  2. Transitional milk
  3. Mature milk


  • Colostrum: It is the first milk produced by the breast after pregnancy. It is thick in consistency and looks yellowish. Colostrum is highly concentrated with minerals, vitamins, protein, and immunoglobulins- antibodies which help in the development of the baby's immune system. It is low in fat and sugar, which makes it easily digestible for the baby.
  • Transitional milk: This is the stage when Colostrum turns into mature milk just after the four days of birth and lasts for a week. During this period, the breasts will get tender, dense, and fuller, indicating that milk production has increased to meet the hunger of the growing infant.
  • Mature Milk: After 10–15 days, the Colostrum completely turns into mature milk with a thinner consistency, still with the adequate nutrients needed for the infant's growth.

Benefits of Breastfeeding for Baby

Breast milk is considered complete food for the infant, it contains all the nutrition baby need to grow. Breast milk contains an ideal combination of vitamins, protein, and fat in digestible form, which supports babies growth effectively. It also carries antibodies which helps fight infectious diseases caused by the bacteria and viruses.



Some of the prominent advantages of breastfeeding is it helps in fighting various disease to lower the risk of getting affected by it.

  • It helps in lowering the risk for Asthma and Allergies
  • Infant breastfeed for 6 months are less likely to be affected by ear infections (Acute Otitis media), respiratory ailment, and gastrointestinal infections (diarrhea/vomiting)
  • It lowers the risk of obesity, as breastfed promotes proper growth of baby rather uneven increase in weight.
  • Polyunsaturated fatty acid (Docosahexaenoic Acid -DHA), found in breast milk, supports efficient brain development.
  • It helps lower the risk of developing type-1 diabetes in future
  • It helps in the prevention of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
  • It lowers the risk of Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) for preterm infants
  • It reduces the frequent visit to doctor and chances of hospitalization
emotional and health benefits of breastfeeding for baby

Benefits of Breastfeeding for Mother

The process of breastfeeding not only proves to be an immunity booster for the babies but also brings advantages to the breastfeeding mothers, as it involves physical activity and helps burn extra calories, which aid in faster pregnancy weight loss.



During breastfeeding, a hormone called Oxytocin is released, which helps in managing the uterus to regain its pre-pregnancy size and also lowers the uterine bleeding after birth.

Apart from the above-mentioned health benefits, breastfeeding helps in lowering the risk of getting various cancerous and non-cancerous diseases, which are as follows:

  • It lowers the risk of osteoporosis
  • It lowers the risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer
  • Helps in the management of postpartum depression
  • Develops deep mother child closeness
  • Breastfeeding aid in delay menstruation (ovulation)
breastfeeding mother | advantages and benefits of breastfeeding for mothers | mother breastfeeding baby

Frequently asked questions

  • Why is breastfeeding important?

    Breastfeeding is important as it has health benefits for both baby and mother, breast milk is rich in minerals, vitamins, protein, and immunoglobulins (antibodies), which helps baby to fight against infection and other disease, also it keeps breastfeeding mother away from developing the risk of many cancerous and non cancerous diseases.

  • How to do breastfeeding?

    Breastfeeding is a natural and advantageous way to feed a baby, but it can take some time for the mother and baby to establish a smooth connection. Some of the steps that could help mothers make the breastfeeding process effective and develop a bond with babies are:

    • Get into a comfortable position
    • Hold the baby close
    • Position the baby's mouth
    • Ensure a good latch
    • Nurse on both breasts
    • Pay attention to the baby's feeding cues
    • Burp the baby

  • How do i know my baby is full when breastfeeding?

    The best way to understand whether your baby is full or not is to continue keeping an eye on the baby's signals, which could be

    • Sucking slows down
    • Swallowing slows down: the sound of swallowing can also indicate the fullness of baby
    • Pulling away from the breast
    • Change in behavior like relaxed, content and sleepy
    • Baby’s tongue fluttering on the breast

  • How to increase milk for breastfeeding mom?

    Breastfeeding moms may face challenges with milk production, but there are several ways to increase milk supply to ensure enough milk production for their babies hunger, which are:

    • Breastfeed frequently - It stimulates milk production, target 8-12 times in 24 hours
    • Ensure proper latching for maximum milk transfer
    • Drink plenty of water. It helps in milk production.
    • Eat a healthy and balanced diet
    • Consider herbal supplements like Fenugreek, blessed thistle, and milk thistle
    • Pump after breastfeeding, it stimulates further milk production
    • Get enough rest

  • What to eat during breastfeeding?

    To ensure enough production of breast milk, it is essential for mothers to ensure the intake of a balanced diet rich in nutrients. Some of the habits that could contribute to babies and moms getting the proper nutrients are:

    • Eating a variety of foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats
    • Increasing calorie intake, as breastfeeding takes extra energy
    • Avoid certain foods like caffeine, alcohol, and processed foods
    • Consult your doctor for vitamin supplements like vitamin D and iron
    • Stay hydrated by taking fluids like water, milk, and fruit juices (without sugar) to ensure enough milk supply

  • Does breastfeeding cause weight loss?

    The extent to which breastfeeding contributes to weight loss can vary depending on individual factors such as diet, exercise habits, and genetics. Producing breast milk requires energy, which contributes to the extra consumption of calories and can contribute to weight loss for some women.

  • Does breastfeeding increase breast size?

    Breastfeeding does not necessarily increase breast size, but it can temporarily cause breasts to become fuller and larger due to milk production. During breastfeeding, the milk-producing glands in the breast are activated, causing the breasts to swell with milk.

  • What happens when you stop breastfeeding?

    When you stop breastfeeding, breasts gradually stop producing milk, and also the process of weaning (switching babies' diets from breast milk to other foods and fluids) can take a few days depending upon the frequency of breastfeeding done. Some of the signs and symptoms experienced by women after stopping breastfeeding could be:

    • Engorgement or discomfort in their breasts
    • Changes in breast shape & size
    • Stretch marks or other changes in nipples and areolas
    • Emotional effects

  • When to stop breastfeeding?

    The decision to stop breastfeeding depends on the mother's and child's needs and circumstances, but as per the WHO, it is recommended that breastfeeding be practiced for the first six months of a baby's life.

  • Can breastfeeding mothers take Covid vaccine?

    Yes, breastfeeding mothers are generally recommended to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The WHO, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine (ABM) all recommend COVID-19 vaccination unless there is any medical contraindication.

To know more and how to breastfeed effectively, consult our super-specialist.

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