Slideshow
-
Allergic diseases
Exclusive breastfeeding for at least 3 months reduced the incidence of asthma, atopic dermatitis and eczema 42% among infants with a family history and 27% among low-risk infants, researchers have found.
-
Otitis media
Any breastfeeding reduces otitis media (OM) incidence by 23% compared with exclusive commercial infant formula feeding, and exclusive breastfeeding for more than 3 months reduces OM risk by 50%.
-
Diabetes type 1 & 2
Children who are exclusively breastfed for at least 3 months have up to a 30% reduction in type 1 diabetes and 40% reduction in type 2 diabetes incidence.
-
Respiratory tract infections
Exclusive breastfeeding for more than 4 months reduced the risk for hospitalization due to lower respiratory tract infections 72% in the first year of life.
-
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
Results of a meta-analysis reveal that breastfeeding is associated with a 36% reduction in the risk of SIDS. More than 900 infant lives could be saved each year in the United States if 90% of mothers exclusively breastfed for 6 months, researchers project.
-
Childhood leukemia and lymphoma
Breastfeeding for at least 6 months has been associated with a 20% decrease in risk of childhood acute lymphocytic leukemia and a 15% decrease in the risk of acute myeloid leukemia.
-
Breastfeeding Statistics
Currently, only 24.6% of U.S. mothers initiate breastfeeding before formula feeding, CDC statistics show. One of the Healthy People 2020 Initiatives is increasing this percentage to around 80%. You can help by educating patients about the benefits of breastfeeding.
