Benefits of Breastfeeding For Babies

An IQ Boost

Breastfeeding your baby for an average of a year could lead to an increase in IQ of about four points. In a study recently reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association of Pediatrics, researchers found that there is a "causal relationship of breast-feeding duration with receptive language and verbal and nonverbal intelligence later in life."

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It's the Perfect Food!

With the ideal combination of vitamins, protein, and fat, breast milk offers your infant everything he or she needs to grow in every ounce.

Source: Flickr user Etolane

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Digestion Made Easy

The consistency of breast milk is easier for developing digestive systems to process than formula.

Source: Flickr user Paul Goyette

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An Immune Boost

Breast milk is packed with antibodies that help your baby to ward off viruses and bacteria and can reduce their risk of developing asthma or allergies.

Infants who are breastfed exclusively for the first six months are said to have fewer ear infections and respiratory illnesses as well.

Source: Flickr user Rick Bolin

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It'll Help Your Child Maintain a Healthy Weight

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding as a way to help reduce your child's risk of becoming overweight or obese as a teen or adult.

Source: Flickr user Bridget Coila

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It Can Lower Your Baby's Risk of SIDS

Breastfeeding has been associated with lowering the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome by half for babies who are exclusively nursed for the first month of life.

Source: Flickr user Daniel James

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It Can Encourage Developmental Skills

New research has found that breastfeeding for at least six months is associated with language, movement, and coordination skills.

Source: Flickr user Myles Grant

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