The advantages of extended breast-feeding are indeed indisputable and include nutritional, immunological, and psychological benefits to both infant and mother, as well as economic benefits.
Psychological Benefits
The benefits of breast-feeding for both the mother and the infant is generally assumed but has been particularly difficult to characterize and quantify.
Several reports have linked breastfeeding, and especially duration of breast-feeding, with cognitive and emotional psychological benefits. Mothers with early infant contact breast-fed longer and showed more attachment behavior than women without early contact and infants who were not breast-fed. The unique composition of human milk, such as the fatty acid composition , almost certainly plays an important role in neuropsychological development. Low-birth-weight infants fed mother's milk scored better on developmental tests at age 18 months and intelligence tests at age 7 or 8 years than infants who received human milk substitutes. Similarly, significant increases in cognitive development test scores were identified in school-aged children. More importantly, the increases in cognitive development were related to the duration of breastfeeding during infancy.
Nutritional Benefits
Human milk provides optimal nutrition to infants and the appropriate balance of nutrients provided in easily digestible and bioavailable forms. The relatively low protein content of breast milk is adequate, though not excessive presenting a comfortable nitrogen load to the immature kidney. The predominant form of protein in human milk is whey, which forms a soft, easily digestible curd. Generous amounts of essential fatty acids, saturated fatty acids, medium-chain triglycerides, and cholesterol are also present. Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially docosahexaenoic acid, promote optimal development of the central nervous system. Human milk has a relatively low sodium content, allowing the fluid requirements of the infant to be met while not overtaxing the kidneys. Minerals in breast milk are largely protein bound and balanced to enhance bioavailability. The iron, zinc, and calcium needs of the infant are met in this way, with minimal demand on matemal supply.
Immunological Benefits
Human milk contains many components that contribute to immunity. Cellular components, including specific T- and B-lymphocytes, and nonspecific macrophages and neutrophils, are especially high in colostrum but persist in milk in lower concentrations but in activated forms for months. Antibodies in the form of immunoglobulins may provide a role in protecting to the gastrointestinal tract.
Other components of breastmilk:
prevent bacteria from growing in the gastrointestinal tract by ensuirng nutrients are not available in a form suitable for use by these bacteria
assist in the maturation of the infants gastrointestinal tract
In combination the factors found in breastmilk offer babies greater protection form virus and bacteria to than that in non breastfed infants. Maximum protection however is offered through exclusive rather than partial breastfeeding.
Reduced Infant Morbidity
In studies performed in both developing and industrial countries, breast-fed infants have been reported to have:
fivefold fewer gastrointestinal illlnesses,
threefold fewer respiratory illnesses,
and at least half the episodes of ear infection.
Importantly, substantial evidence indicates that breast-feeding duration is important to realizing the reductions in infant morbidity and allergy even in affluent populations. These reductions possibly extend for periods beyond weaning. For instance, the risk of ear infection is reduced for the duration of breast-feeding and for months after weaning ; the protection against allergy disease may extend for years.
Maternal Health Benefits
Extension of lactation duration is also integral to receiving full matemal benefits from breast-feeding.including:
lactation amenorrhea (absence of menstruation),
matemal weight or fat loss,
protection against premenopausal breast cancer,
and more optimal blood glucose profiles in women with gestational diabetes.
Exclusive and more frequent nursing (especially at night) increases the duration of amenorrhea. Lactation amenorrhea accompanied with exclusive breast-feeding reduces the risk of pregnancy for at least 6 months
Lactation-related reductions in risk for premenopausal breast cancer are related to younger age at first lactation and lactation duration of 6 months.
The relationship between lactation and obesity is presently unclear but may be important in the face of the increasing prevalence of obesity among women. Although the hormonal balance during breastfeeding favors fat mobilization from the lower body, the net effect is variable due to the interrelationship of prepregnancy nutritional status, maternal dietary intake, and activity.
Source: American Dietetic Association
