The long-term benefits of having been breast-fed

Abstract 

The short-term benefits of breast-feeding are well-established and include a reduced risk of gastroenteritis, ear infection and atopy during infancy. More recently, there has been increasing interest in possible long-term benefits of breast-feeding for health and development. Most relevant studies are observational although data are now available from a cluster-randomised trial of a breast-feeding intervention in term infants, and from follow-up of a randomised trial of early nutrition in preterm infants. Data reviewed in this article suggest that breast-feeding has beneficial effects on later cardiovascular risk factors including blood pressure and plasma lipid profile, that it reduces the risk of obesity during childhood, improves cognitive development, and reduces the incidence of atopy, at least in those with a family history. Other proposed benefits requiring further substantiation include a reduced risk of insulin-dependent diabetes, childhood cancer, inflammatory bowel disease and osteoporosis. Collectively, the data suggest that breast-feeding should now be promoted for its long-term as well as its short-term benefits.

Keywords:  Breast-feeding, Benefits, Long-term