Advantages of Breastfeeding  

Immunological Advantages

• Breast milk contains cells that are capable of providing the newborn protection against foreign invaders, such as certain types of bacteria.

Nutritional Advantages

• Breast milk contains fats, minerals, vitamins, and amino acids. The high concentration of cholesterol and the balance of amino acids in breast milk make it the best food for the development of the brain.
• Breast milk provides newborns with minerals in more acceptable doses than those provided by formulas.
• All of the components of breast milk are delivered to the infant in an unchanged form, and vitamins are not lost through processing and heating.

Psychosocial Advantages

• The psychosocial advantages of breastfeeding are primarily those associated with attachment.
• Breastfeeding enhances attachment by providing the opportunity for frequent and direct skin contact between the newborn and the mother.
• The close contact that is associated with breastfeeding can communicate warmth, closeness, and comfort.
• Some mothers perefer breastfeeding as a means of extending the close, unique, nourishing relationship between mother and baby that existed prior to birth.