Benefits of breastfeeding

Discover the benefits of breastfeeding for baby and mother: nutrition, immunity, official health authority recommendations and key tips in this article!

Benefits of breastfeeding: a natural choice for your baby

Breastfeeding is now recognised as the nutritional gold standard for infant feeding. Numerous international scientific studies and recommendations from health authorities, such as the World Health Organization (WHO), highlight its major benefits for the baby’s health, but also for the health of the breastfeeding mother. 

For many women, the decision to breastfeed also raises practical, emotional and organisational questions. Having access to reliable information, tailored advice and caring resources enables mothers to make informed choices in line with their experiences, their needs and those of their baby. 

In this article, we take a clear, evidence-based look at the benefits of breastfeeding, while emphasising that every parenting journey is unique! 

The best food to meet babies’ specific nutritional needs

Breastfeeding means feeding an infant with the milk naturally produced by his mother. According to WHO and UNICEF, it is recommended to: 

• Start breastfeeding within the first hour after birth 
• Practice exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life 
• Continue breastfeeding alongside a varied diet up to 2 years of age or beyond ^[1].

These recommendations provide a reference framework, but they must always be accompanied by personalised guidance, particularly to help mothers breastfeed in good conditions, at their own pace, and according to their personal or medical situation. 

Breast milk alone provides all the elements needed for an infant’s healthy development during the first six months of life: antibodies, vitamins, minerals, trace elements, carbohydrates, fats and proteins, in the right proportions. As a truly “living” food, it is constantly evolving to keep pace with your child’s growth. Its composition changes during a feed, becoming progressively richer in fats as the breast empties or when feeds are close together. It also varies according to the time of day, and naturally adapts over the weeks and months. ^[2] 

It is the only food which composition so perfectly meets the baby’s specific nutritional needs, at every age. 

What are the benefits of breastfeeding?

The benefits of breastfeeding for the baby

An essential support for the young child’s immune system

Many studies show that breastfed children have a reduced risk of respiratory and gastrointestinal infections, particularly during the first months of life. 

Researchers have also observed a decrease in the risk of ear infections, severe infections and infant mortality in breastfed children. ^[3] 

But the benefits of breastfeeding for a child’s health do not stop at early infancy. Over the longer term, scientific data associate breastfeeding with: 

• A reduced risk of overweight and obesity 
• A lower risk of type 1 diabetes 
• Better performance on cognitive and developmental tests. ^[3]

The benefits of breastfeeding for the mother

Breastfeeding has also been shown to provide physiological benefits for the mother: it supports postpartum recovery and is associated with a reduced risk of certain cancers, particularly breast and ovarian cancer, as well as a decreased risk of type 2 diabetes.^[4] 

For women, these benefits form part of a global approach to maternal health, which also includes the importance of postnatal care, rest and appropriate support throughout the breastfeeding period. 

A positive impact on the mother–child bond

Beyond its biological aspects, breastfeeding promotes skin-to-skin contact, emotional security and attachment bonding between mother and child, all of which are essential for the baby’s emotional development. 

Did you know?
Oxytocin, often referred to as the “bonding hormone”, is released during childbirth, milk ejection and moments of contact such as skin-to-skin or gentle touch. It plays a key role in creating and strengthening the emotional bond between mother and baby. 

To support calm, confident breastfeeding, it is recommended that mothers have access to a reassuring environment, appropriate care and professional advice (midwives, lactation consultants, healthcare professionals), both in the maternity ward and after returning home. 

Breastfeeding and complementary feeding

From around 6 months of age, infants’ nutritional needs begin to change. The gradual introduction of complementary foods becomes necessary, while continuing breastfeeding: this is the stage of complementary feeding. 

WHO notes that breast milk can continue to cover: 

• Around half of energy needs between 6 and 12 months 
• Up to one-third of energy needs between 12 and 24 months.^[1]

Weaning: a personal choice to be supported gently

Weaning refers to the gradual reduction or complete cessation of breastfeeding. The decision about when to wean is individual and depends on the mother, the child and the family context. Mixed feeding can also be introduced: this means keeping some breastfeeds while complementing intake with an infant formula adapted to the baby’s age. 

For some women, weaning can be a sensitive stage, both physically and emotionally. Being supported, well informed and guided towards suitable solutions helps mothers go through this transition with more confidence and peace of mind. 

When weaning is desired, it is recommended to offer age-appropriate foods, focusing on variety, the quality of ingredients and respect for the child’s nutritional needs. 

Milk, whether breast milk or infant formula, remains a key component of a child’s diet up to 3 years of age. 

At the weaning stage, families therefore need to rely on infant milk formulas designed to gently support this dietary transition. 

→ Discover our infant formulas! 

Mi&Ma: supporting you at every stage, in line with experts’ recommendations on infant nutrition

At Mi & Ma, we recognise breastfeeding as the nutritional gold standard for babies’ first months of life. Our commitment is to inform, support and offer families solutions adapted to the children’s needs, only when weaning is desired, and in line with official recommendations. 

Sources:

[1] Infant and young child feeding, World Health Organization (WHO), December 2023

[2] : Le guide de l’allaitement maternel, Santé publique France, 2023

[3] : Patnode CD, Henrikson NB, Webber EM, Blasi PR, Senger CA, Guirguis-Blake JM. Breastfeeding and Health Outcomes for Infants and Children: A Systematic Review. Pediatrics. 2025 Jul 1;156(1):e2025071516. doi: 10.1542/peds.2025-071516. PMID: 40240318.

[4] : Chowdhury R, Sinha B, Sankar MJ, Taneja S, Bhandari N, Rollins N, Bahl R, Martines J. Breastfeeding and maternal health outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Acta Paediatr. 2015 Dec;104(467):96-113. doi: 10.1111/apa.13102. PMID: 26172878; PMCID: PMC4670483.