Breastfeeding Benefits

So, I took a Nutrition through the Lifespan graduate course this summer, which I really enjoyed for the most part. I decided to write my final paper on the Benefits of Extended Breastfeeding. I found it difficult to gather research-based information on this topic b/c such a small percentage of people in the US breastfeed after one year but what I did find shows many advantages. I wish that our society in general didn't have such negative feelings towards moms who breastfeed their baby that is over age one. People in the US think age one is automatically when a baby should be weaned and what are they basing that decision on? Anyways, I'm kind of on a breastfeeding promotion kick lately but I'll stop rambling and just post some portions from my paper (it won't flow too good below b/c I'm just cutting and pasting certain parts and not posting all 10 pages). By the way, I would love to be a certified lactation consultant some day, ya know after I finish my masters, have a couple more kids, and all that other stuff (I just have too many things I want to do).
Note: I just want to state that I don't intend to hurt anyone's feelings that didn't breastfeed b/c that is a personal decision and I respect that; also, I know that there are reasons some women can't breastfeed, even if they wanted too. So please, don't take offense by this post.

As my baby girl is quickly approaching the age of one year, I have thought a lot lately about how long I should continue to breastfeed her for. It dawned on me that this would be the perfect topic for my paper because I could find research-based information to help me make this important decision for both my baby Mya and for myself. The following are questions that have crossed my mind at one point or another about extended breastfeeding, which in the United States is defined as breastfeeding beyond one year of age (6): Will extended breastfeeding benefit my baby in the same ways that it has during her first year of life? What is the optimal duration of breastfeeding? Will extended breastfeeding negatively influence Mya’s appetite for other foods? What will my family, friends, and co-workers think of extended breastfeeding? What will Mya’s health care provider recommend? Will I harm her in any way if I nurse her beyond one year? Are there any benefits for myself if I breastfeed for longer than one year? Throughout this paper these particular questions will be examined.

Breastfeeding is one of the most important contributors to the “optimal health and development of infants”; human milk contains a perfect balance of nutrients that matches an infant’s needs for growth and development (18). Extended breastfeeding contains many ongoing health benefits for the child (17). One benefit is nutrition; research has proved that second year milk is very comparable to first year milk nutritionally (16). A mother who has been nursing for more than one year has noticeably increased fat and energy contents in her milk, compared with women who have been lactating for shorter periods (14). “During prolonged lactation, the fat energy contribution of breast milk to the infant diet might be significant (14).” Breast milk continues to provide substantial amounts of key nutrients well beyond the first year of life, especially protein, fat, and most vitamins (10).

Another benefit is immunity to disease (16,17). The infant’s immune system is not fully mature until about 2 years of age, so human milk provides a distinct advantage that infants fed formula do not experience (9). “Several studies suggest that the benefits continue even after breastfeeding ceases, and a few studies have found that breastfeeding into the second 6 months of life protects against infection (9).” The American Adacemy of Family Physicians says that children weaned before two years of age are at increased risk of illness (10).

The third benefit is the prevention of allergies and asthma (10). Many studies have shown that one of the best ways to prevent allergies and asthma is to breastfeed exclusively for at least 6 months and to continue breastfeeding long-term after that (10). These are not the only benefits from extended breastfeeding. It reduces the risk for many acute and chronic diseases (6,18). This study, along with others, is consistent in showing a reduced risk of overweight among children and adolescents who were breastfed as infants, especially when the duration of breastfeeding is increased (13). Optimal nutrition is especially important during the time from birth to about 12 to 18 months because at this period the human brain experiences a growth spurt (4). Another study found a link between longer periods of breastfeeding and cognitive developments. Increasing duration of breastfeeding was connected with small, detectable, and generally consistent increases in childhood cognitive outcomes from the age of 8 to the age of 18 (15). Benefits of extended breastfeeding aren’t just for the child but also for the mother too. I think the main advantage to a mother who breastfeeds for a long duration is the proven reduced risk of breast cancer (3,6,9,17).

Despite the fact that the optimal duration of breastfeeding is unknown (14), many health agencies currently recommend breastfeeding as the “optimal method of infant feeding for at least 1 year with the addition of solid food beginning at age 6 months (5).”

The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine (ABM) has a very similar to position statement as the AAP and AAFP; they state that “optimal infant and young child feeding is exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months, and continued breastfeeding for at least 1 and up to 2 years or longer, with age-appropriate complementary feeding (12).” The recommendation of the World Health Organization is to breastfeed for at least 2 years (10,17-18).

Clearly, there is need for more breast-feeding promotion and support initiatives in the United States (18). These resolutions not only include mothers, but also their family members, health care professionals, and the general public. I think in addition that more research needs to be done on extended breastfeeding, especially in the United States and not just developing country, because although there’s evidence of the benefits to mother and child it is limited (6). Obviously this is something that can’t be changed overnight but hopefully with many, many baby steps at least the percentage of babies and moms reaping the benefits of extended breastfeeding will increase in the United States.