Breastfeeding and health outcomes for the mother-infant dyad

Christine M Dieterich, Julia P Felice, Elizabeth O'Sullivan, Kathleen M Rasmussen, Christine M Dieterich, Julia P Felice, Elizabeth O'Sullivan, Kathleen M Rasmussen

Abstract

Worldwide, breastfeeding saves the lives of infants and reduces their disease burden. Breastfeeding also reduces the disease burden for mothers. This article examines who chooses to breastfeed and for how long in the United States. It also reviews the latest evidence about the consequences of breastfeeding for the health of the infant and mother. This review provides support for current national and international recommendations that support breastfeeding.

Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Figures

Figure 1. Possible mechanisms through which breastfeeding…
Figure 1. Possible mechanisms through which breastfeeding promotes healthy infant weight status
Represented here are caregiver behaviors and the contents of human milk have effects on the breastfed infant’s self-regulation of intake, growth and metabolism, and the intestinal microbiome, which in turn promote development of healthy weight. (+) beneficial effect; (−) detrimental effect; HMO=human milk oligosaccharides.

References

    1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Breastfeeding Report Card –– United States 2011. Atlanta, GA: 2011. [cited Aug 8, 2012]; Available from: .
    1. Eidelman AI, Schanler RJ, Johnston M, et al. Breastfeeding and the use of human milk. Pediatrics. 2012;129(3):e827–e41.
    1. US Department of Health and Human Services. Healthy People 2020. Washington D.C: [cited Aug 8, 2012]; Available from: .
    1. Dennis CL. Breastfeeding initiation and duration: a 1990–2000 literature review. J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs. 2002;31(1):12–32.
    1. Thulier D, Mercer J. Variables associated with breastfeeding duration. J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs. 2009;38(3):259–68.
    1. Meedya S, Fahy K, Kable A. Factors that positively influence breastfeeding duration to 6 months: a literature review. Women and Birth. 2010;23(4):135–45.
    1. Gibson-Davis CM, Brooks-Gunn J. Couples’ immigration status and ethnicity as determinants of breastfeeding. Am J Public Health. 2006;96(4):641–6.
    1. Li R, Darling N, Maurice E, et al. Breastfeeding rates in the United States by characteristics of the child, mother, or family: the 2002 National Immunization Survey. Pediatrics. 2005;115(1):31–7.
    1. Rutishauser IH, Carlin JB. Body mass index and duration of breast feeding: a survival analysis during the first six months of life. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health. 1992;46(6):559–65.
    1. Rasmussen KM. Association of maternal obesity before conception with poor lactation performance. Annual Review of Nutrition. 2007;27(1):103–21.
    1. Amir LH, Donath S. A systematic review of maternal obesity and breastfeeding intention, initiation and duration. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth. 2007;7(1):9.
    1. Kugyelka JG, Rasmussen KM, Frongillo EA. Maternal obesity is negatively associated with breastfeeding success among Hispanic but not Black women. Journal of Nutrition. 2004;134(7):1746–53.
    1. Donath SM, Amir LH. The relationship between maternal smoking and breastfeeding duration after adjustment for maternal infant feeding intention. Acta Paediatrica. 2004;93(11):1514–8.
    1. Hopkinson JM, Schanler RJ, Fraley JK, et al. Milk production by mothers of premature infants: influence of cigarette smoking. Pediatrics. 1992;90(6):934–8.
    1. Blyth R, Creedy D, Dennis C, et al. Effect of maternal confidence on breastfeeding duration: an application of breastfeeding self-efficacy theory. Birth. 2002;29(4):278–84.
    1. O’Campo P, Faden RR, Gielen AC, et al. Prenatal factors associated with breastfeeding duration: recommendations for prenatal interventions. Birth. 1992;19(4):195–201.
    1. Murray EK, Ricketts S, Dellaport J. Hospital practices that increase breastfeeding duration: results from a population-based study. Birth. 2007;34(3):202–11.
    1. Philipp BL, Merewood A. The Baby-Friendly way: the best breastfeeding start. Pediatr Clin N Am. 2004;51(3):761–83.
    1. Taveras EM, Li R, Grummer-Strawn L, et al. Opinions and practices of clinicians associated with continuation of exclusive breastfeeding. Pediatrics. 2004;113(4):283–90.
    1. Wen LM, Simpson JM, Rissel C, et al. Awareness of breastfeeding recommendations and duration of breastfeeding: findings from the Healthy Beginnings Trial. Breastfeeding Medicine. 2012;7:223–9.
    1. Ryan AS, Zhou W, Arensberg MB. The effect of employment status on breastfeeding in the United States. Women’s Health Issues. 2006;16(5):243–51.
    1. Fein SB, Mandal B, Roe BE. Success of strategies for combining employment and breastfeeding. Pediatrics. 2008;122(Suppl 2):s56–s62.
    1. Britton C, McCormick FM, Renfrew MJ, et al. Support for breastfeeding mothers. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2007;(1)
    1. Goldman AS. Evolution of immune functions of the mammary gland and protection of the infant. Breastfeeding Medicine. 2012;7(3):132–42.
    1. Goldman AS. Modulation of the gastrointestinal tract of infants by human milk. Interfaces and interactions. An evolutionary perspective. The Journal of Nutrition. 2000;130(Suppl 2):426s–31s.
    1. Brandtzaeg P. Mucosal immunity: integration between mother and the breast-fed infant. Vaccine. 2003;21(24):3382–8.
    1. Newburg DS, Walker WA. Protection of the neonate by the innate immune system of developing gut and of human milk. Pediatric Research. 2007;61(1):2–8.
    1. Chirico G, Marzollo R, Cortinovis S, et al. Antiinfective properties of human milk. Journal of Nutrition. 2008;138(9):1801s–6s.
    1. Isolauri E. Development of healthy gut microbiota early in life. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health. 2012;48(Suppl 3):1–6.
    1. Newburg DS, Ruiz-Palacios GM, Morrow AL. Human milk glycans protect infants against enteric pathogens. Annual Review of Nutrition. 2005;25(1):37–58.
    1. Kau AL, Ahern PP, Griffin NW, et al. Human nutrition, the gut microbiome and the immune system. Nature. 2011;474(7351):327–36.
    1. Isaacs CE. Antimicrobial lipids in milk. In: Thormar H, editor. Lipids and Essential Oils as Antimicrobial Agents. Chichester, West Sussex: Wiley; 2011. pp. 81–97.
    1. Schroten H, Bosch M, Nobis-Bosch R, et al. Anti-infectious properties of the human milk fat globule. In: Newburg D, editor. Bioactive Components of Human Milk. New York: Plenum Publishers; 2001. pp. 189–92.
    1. Savino F, Liguori SA. Update on breast milk hormones: leptin, ghrelin and adiponectin. Clinical Nutrition. 2008;27(1):42–7.
    1. Karatas Z, Durmus Aydogdu S, Dinleyici EC, et al. Breastmilk ghrelin, leptin, and fat levels changing foremilk to hindmilk: Is that important for self-control of feeding? European Journal of Pediatrics. 2011;170(10):1273–80.
    1. Li R, Grummer-Strawn LM, Fein SB. Do infants fed from bottles lack self-regulation of milk intake compared with directly breastfed infants? Pediatrics. 2010;125(6):e1386–e93.
    1. Bartick M, Reinhold A. The burden of suboptimal breastfeeding in the United States: a pediatric cost analysis. Pediatrics. 2010;125(5):e1048–e56.
    1. Ball TM, Wright AL. Health care costs of formula-feeding in the first year of life. Pediatrics. 1999;103(4):870–6.
    1. Kramer MS, Chalmers B, Hodnett ED, et al. Promotion of Breastfeeding Intervention Trial (PROBIT): a randomized trial in the Republic of Belarus. JAMA. 2001;285(4):413–20.
    1. Singleton RJ, Holman RC, Folkema AM, et al. Trends in lower respiratory tract infection hospitalizations among American Indian/Alaska Native children and the general US child population. J Pediatr. 2012;161(2):296–302. e2.
    1. Ip S, Chung M, Raman G, et al. A summary of the agency for healthcare research and quality’s evidence report on breastfeeding in developed countries. Breastfeeding Medicine. 2009;4(1):S17–S30.
    1. Chien PF, Howie PW. Breast milk and the risk of opportunistic infection in infancy in industrialized and non-industrialized settings. Advances in Nutritional Research. 2001;10:69–104.
    1. Bachrach VR, Schwarz E, Bachrach LR. Breastfeeding and the risk of hospitalization for respiratory disease in infancy: a meta-analysis. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2003;157(3):237–43.
    1. Duijts L, Jaddoe VWV, Hofman A, et al. Prolonged and exclusive breastfeeding reduces the risk of infectious diseases in infancy. Pediatrics. 2010;126(1):e18–25.
    1. Kramer MS, Guo T, Platt RW, et al. Infant growth and health outcomes associated with 3 compared with 6 mo of exclusive breastfeeding. Am J Clin Nutr. 2003;78(2):291–5.
    1. Der G, David BG, Deary IJ. Effect of breast feeding on intelligence in children: prospective study, sibling pairs analysis, and meta-analysis. BMJ. 2006;333(7575):945.
    1. Kramer MS, Aboud F, Mironova E, et al. Breastfeeding and child cognitive development: new evidence from a large randomized trial. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2008;65(5):578–84.
    1. Task Force on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. SIDS and other sleep-related infant deaths: expansion of recommendations for a safe infant sleeping environment. Pediatrics. 2011;128(5):e1341–e67.
    1. Heron M. National Vital Statistics Reports. 5. Vol. 56. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics; 2007. Deaths: leading causes for 2004.
    1. Vennemann MM, Brinkmann B, Yucesan K, et al. Does breastfeeding reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome? Pediatrics. 2009;123(3):e406–e10.
    1. Hauck FR, Tanabe KO, Thompson JMD, et al. Breastfeeding and reduced risk of sudden infant death syndrome: a meta-analysis. Pediatrics. 2011;128(1):103–10.
    1. Horne RS, Parslow PM, Harding R. Respiratory control and arousal in sleeping infants. Paediatric Respiratory Reviews. 2004;5(3):190–8.
    1. Kramer MS, Matush L, Vanilovich I, et al. Effect of prolonged and exclusive breast feeding on risk of allergy and asthma: cluster randomised trial. BMJ. 2007;335(7624):815.
    1. Mimouni Bloch A, Mimouni D, Mimouni M, et al. Does breastfeeding protect against allergic rhinitis during childhood? A meta-analysis of prospective studies. Acta Paediatrica. 2002;91(3):275–9.
    1. Gdalevich M, Mimouni D, David M, et al. Breast-feeding and the onset of atopic dermatitis in childhood: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective studies. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2001;45(4):520–7.
    1. Sears M, Greene J, Willan A, et al. Long-term relation between breastfeeding and development of atopy and asthma in children and young adults: a longitudinal study. Lancet. 2002;360(9337):901–7.
    1. Wegienka G, Ownby D, Havstad S, et al. Breastfeeding history and childhood allergic status in a prospective birth cohort. Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. 2006;97(1):78–83.
    1. Kwan M, Buffler P, Abrams B, et al. Breastfeeding and the risk of childhood leukemia: a meta-analysis. Public Health Rep. 2004;119(6):521–35.
    1. Singhal A, Lanigan J. Breastfeeding, early growth and later obesity. Obesity Reviews. 2007;8(Suppl 1):51–4.
    1. Kramer MS, Matush L, Vanilovich I, et al. Effects of prolonged and exclusive breastfeeding on child height, weight, adiposity, and blood pressure at age 6.5 y: evidence from a large randomized trial. Am J Clin Nutr. 2007;86(6):1717–21.
    1. Ogden CL, Carroll MD, Kit BK, et al. Prevalence of obesity and trends in body mass index among us children and adolescents, 1999–2010. JAMA. 2012;307(5):483–90.
    1. Owen CG, Martin RM, Whincup PH, et al. Effect of infant feeding on the risk of obesity across the life course: a quantitative review of published evidence. Pediatrics. 2005;115(5):1367–77.
    1. Arenz S, Ruckerl R, Koletzko B, et al. Breast-feeding and childhood obesity--a systematic review. International Journal of Obesity and Related Metabolic Disorders. 2004;28(10):1247–56.
    1. Harder T, Bergmann R, Kallischnigg G, et al. Duration of breastfeeding and risk of overweight: a meta-analysis. American Journal of Epidemiology. 2005;162(5):397–403.
    1. Owen CG, Martin RM, Whincup PH, et al. The effect of breastfeeding on mean body mass index throughout life: a quantitative review of published and unpublished observational evidence. Am J Clin Nutr. 2005;82(6):1298–307.
    1. Beyerlein A, Von Kries R, Toschke AM. Breastfeeding and childhood obesity: Shift of the entire BMI distribution or only the upper parts? Obesity. 2008;16(12):2730–3.
    1. Baker JL, Michaelsen KF, Rasmussen KM, et al. Maternal prepregnant body mass index, duration of breastfeeding, and timing of complementary food introduction are associated with infant weight gain. Am J Clin Nutr. 2004;80(6):1579–88.
    1. Li C, Kaur H, Choi WS, et al. Additive interactions of maternal prepregnancy BMI and breast-feeding on childhood overweight. Obesity Research. 2005;13(2):362–71.
    1. Rasmussen KM, Dieterich CM, Zelek ST, et al. Interventions to increase the duration of breastfeeding in obese mothers: The Bassett Improving Breastfeeding Study. Breastfeeding Medicine. 2011;6(2):69–75.
    1. Owen CG, Martin RM, Whincup PH, et al. Does breastfeeding influence risk of type 2 diabetes in later life? A quantitative analysis of published evidence. Am J Clin Nutr. 2006;84(5):1043–54.
    1. Owen CG, Whincup PH, Cook DG. Symposium II: Infant and childhood nutrition and disease: Breast-feeding and cardiovascular risk factors and outcomes in later life: Evidence from epidemiological studies. Proc Nutr Soc Proceedings of the Nutrition Society. 2011;70(4):478–84.
    1. Godfrey JR, Lawrence RA. Toward optimal health: the maternal benefits of breastfeeding. Journal of Women’s Health. 2010;19(9):1597–602.
    1. Wolfe WS, Sobal J, Olson CM, et al. Parity-associated weight gain and its modification by sociodemographic and behavioral factors: a prospective analysis in US women. International Journal of Obesity. 1997;21(9):802–10.
    1. Villamor E, Cnattingius S. Interpregnancy weight change and risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes: a population-based study. The Lancet. 2006;368(9542):1164–70.
    1. Dewey KG, Heinig MJ, Nommsen LA. Maternal weight-loss patterns during prolonged lactation. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 1993;58(2):162–6.
    1. Baker JL, Gamborg M, Heitmann BL, et al. Breastfeeding reduces postpartum weight retention. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2008;88(6):1543–51.
    1. Leung AK, Sauve RS. Breast is best for babies. Journal of the National Medical Association. 2005;97(7):1010–9.
    1. Arora S, McJunkin C, Wehrer J, et al. Major factors influencing breastfeeding rates: mother’s perception of father’s attitude and milk supply. Pediatrics. 2000;106(5):e67.
    1. Jansen J, de Weerth C, Riksen-Walraven JM. Breastfeeding and the mother-infant relationship - a review. Developmental Review. 2008;28(4):503–21.
    1. Kim P, Feldman R, Mayes LC, et al. Breastfeeding, brain activation to own infant cry, and maternal sensitivity. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry. 2011;52(8):907–15.
    1. Stuebe AM, Rich-Edwards JW. The reset hypothesis: Lactation and maternal metabolism. American Journal of Perinatology. 2009;26(1):81–8.
    1. Stuebe AM, Rich-Edwards JW, Willett WC, et al. Duration of lactation and incidence of type 2 diabetes. JAMA. 2005;294(20):2601–10.
    1. Schwarz EB, Brown JS, Creasman JM, et al. Lactation and maternal risk of type 2 diabetes: a population-based study. Am J Med. 2010;123(9):863–6.
    1. Schwarz EB, Ray RM, Stuebe AM, et al. Duration of lactation and risk factors for maternal cardiovascular disease. Obstet Gynecol. 2009;113(5):974–82.
    1. Natland ST, Nilsen TIL, Midthjell K, et al. Lactation and cardiovascular risk factors in mothers in a population-based study: the HUNT-study. International Breastfeeding Journal. 2012;7(8)
    1. Stuebe A, Kleinman K, Gillman MW, et al. Duration of lactation and maternal metabolism at 3 years postpartum. Journal of Women’s Health. 2010;19(5):941–50.
    1. Collaborative Group on Hormonal Factors in Breast Cancer. Breast cancer and breastfeeding: collaborative reanalysis of individual data from 47 epidemiological studies in 30 countries, including 50,302 women with breast cancer and 96,973 women without the disease. The Lancet. 2002;360(9328):187–95.
    1. World Health Organization. Global Strategy for Infant and Young Child Feeding. Geneva, Switzerland: WHO and UNICEF; 2003.

Source: PubMed

Sponsorer och medarbetare

Medicinska tillstånd

Läkemedelsinterventioner

3
Prenumerera