What are the real benefits to breastfeeding?

1. Significant reductions in the risk of lower respiratory infections and hospitalizations for lower respiratory infections during the first year of life. 2. Significant reduction in the incidence of gastrointestinal tract infections while being breastfed and up to 2 months after breastfeeding is stopped. 3. Significant reduction in the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis in premature infants. One surgery or death prevented for every 8 premies being fed exclusively with human milk. 4. Significant reduction in the risk of SIDS and infant mortality around the world. 5. Reduced risk of asthma, eczema, celiac disease and inflammatory bowel disease. 6. Breastfed infants are less likely to become obese children and adults. 7. Reduction in the risk of type 1 diabetes, childhood leukemia and lymphoma. 8. Improved neurodevelopmental outcomes in premature infants (best supported) and likely even term infants (probably not significant enough to matter in most healthy kids) even when accounting for social variables. 9. Mothers who breastfeed have less postpartum bleeding, less risk of postpartum depression, are less likely to abuse their children even after accounting for social variables and have lower risk of breast and ovarian cancer. 10. Lactational amenorrhea helps to prevent subsequent pregnancy while still breastfeeding.