The birth of your baby is a time filled with joy and seemingly endless decisions. One of the most common questions is whether to breastfeed and for how long.
Breastmilk is the best food for your baby. The World Health Organisation is clear that there is no better supply of nutrition, beneficial bacteria, antibodies and growth hormones for a bub.
You’ve heard that “breast is best”. Here’s our guide to the benefits of breastfeeding
What are the breastfeeding benefits for babies?
From essential nutrients and enhanced immunity to special bonding moments, breastfeeding supports optimal growth and long-term health for your baby.
- Ideal nutrition: Breastmilk contains all of the essential nutrients a newborn needs, and in the right amounts and ratios. Experts recommend breastfeeding exclusively for the first six months (and ideally up to one year) because the composition of breastmilk actually adapts to meet the bub’s changing nutritional needs as they grow.
- Antibodies and disease prevention: Colostrum, or the first release of breastmilk, is rich in antibodies that help the body fight harmful viruses and bacteria. Research shows that babies that are exclusively breastfed for the first six months are less likely to suffer from gastroenteritis, colds and flu, ear and chest infections and thrush.
- Happy tummies: The types of proteins found in breastmilk are easily digested, allowing your baby’s digestive systems to develop. Breastmilk is also rich in probiotics that help populate the baby’s digestive system with positive bacteria.
- Back to sleep: Breastfeeding releases the feel-good love hormone, oxytocin, in both bub and mum. This hormone helps babies get back to sleep after they’ve been fed. Other hormones and biochemicals in breastmilk help set healthy sleep-wake circadian rhythms, too.
- Lifelong advantages: Studies suggest that breastfeeding offers long-term benefits to children, such as the prevention of obesity, type-2 diabetes, eczema and cardiovascular diseases.
What are the breastfeeding benefits for mums?
Babies aren't the only ones who get to benefit from breastfeeding
- Convenient and inexpensive – Breastmilk is a source of food and hydration that is always available for your baby. It doesn’t need preparation or storage. Breastmilk that’s delivered from the breast is always at the right temperature and is safe to consume anywhere, anytime and without the need to sterilise bottles.
- Bonding with bub - Regular close interaction and skin-to-skin contact during breastfeeding encourages a close mother-infant bond. The feel-good hormone, oxytocin, is released in both mum and baby, creating a lasting loving connection.
- Health benefits - Breastfeeding helps the uterus contract back to normal size, and it’s also associated with a reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancer.
- Sleep - One of the most cherished benefits of breastfeeding! Just as breastfeeding can have sleep benefits for newborns, mothers who breastfeed can fall back to sleep faster. The oxytocin and other hormones released during breastfeeding promote sleepiness in both mum and bub.
How long should I breastfeed my baby?
Six months is generally accepted as the minimum amount of time to breastfeed for.
It’s important to note, however, that the duration can vary depending on various factors, including the mum and bub’s preferences, health considerations, and cultural norms.
In Australia, The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) recommends that infants are breastfed exclusively for around the first six months of life to achieve optimal health, growth and development, but adds that any amount of breastmilk is beneficial to a mother and her baby.
The NHMRC also says that when solid foods are introduced from around six months of age, breastfeeding should continue until 12 months and beyond and for as long as the mother and baby pair desire.
What are the benefits of breastfeeding by month?
Breastmilk changes to adapt to the needs of a baby at every stage:
First few days:
- Breastmilk provides colostrum, the nutrient-rich first milk, which helps establish the baby's immune system and promotes healthy digestion.
- Immediately enhances bonding between mother and baby through skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding cues.
- Boosts hormones that support mum’s recovery from labour and birth complications.
First few weeks:
- The baby’s immune system and weight gain needs more support, and breastmilk provides antibodies and essential nutrients for protection against infections and illnesses.
- Breastfeeding continues to assist the mum’s postpartum recovery by promoting uterine contractions and reducing bleeding.
- This stage establishes breastmilk supply and eases breast engorgement pain.
Three months:
- Breastmilk continues to strengthen the baby's immune system with a wide range of antibodies, probiotics and immune-boosting factors.
- A baby’s internal organs are growing, and they learn how to control their breathing. Breastfeeding can prevent asthma and allergies, and protect against respiratory infections.
- Breastfeeding at three months could prevent symptoms of depression in mum.
Six months:
- Breastfeeding reduces the risk of gastrointestinal infections, respiratory infections, and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
- As breastmilk continues to supply optimal nutrition for brain development, breastfeeding also supports the development of fine motor skills and jaw muscles because it requires different mouth and tongue movements than bottle feeding.
- Breastfeeding can continue as solids are introduced. For more information about starting solids, head over to our article: Introducing solids to your baby.
Nine months:
- During this time, breastmilk is a great source of nutrition to support growing bones, muscles and organs.
- Breastmilk becomes rich in long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) which enhance cognitive development and promote brain growth.
- At this age, breastfeeding especially helps infants develop self-soothing and emotional regulation skills.
One year:
- Breastfeeding continues to offer immune support, reducing the risk of ear infections, respiratory infections, and gastrointestinal infections.
- Breastmilk provides tailored nutrition with changing composition to meet the evolving needs of the growing baby.
- There may be a reduced risk of mum developing health conditions like ovarian cancer, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.
Beyond 12 months:
- The benefits of breastfeeding after 12 months include ongoing immune protection. It continues to lower the risk of allergies, asthma and certain childhood cancers.
- Breastfeeding an infant can reduce their physical pain, comfort their emotions, and further increase bonding between mum and bub.
For support at each month along the way, reach out to our a2™ Careline, or get in touch with the Australian Breastfeeding Association.
Where can I learn more about breastfeeding?
For more information and advice on breastfeeding:
Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA) website.
Get Up & Grow: Healthy Eating and Physical Activity for Early Childhood
The Australian Department of Health
Find out more at: Infant Feeding Guidelines.
Canberra: National Health and Medical Research Council (2012).
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