Breastfeeding-Related Health Benefits in Children and Mothers: Vital Organs Perspective

• Published in: Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) Vol. 59; no. 9; p. 1535
• Main Authors: Muro-Valdez, Julio César, Meza-Rios, Alejandra, Aguilar-Uscanga, Blanca Rosa, Lopez-Roa, Rocio Ivette, Medina-Díaz, Eunice, Franco-Torres, Esmeralda Marisol, Zepeda-Morales, Adelaida Sara Minia
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel MDPI AG 25-08-2023; MDPI
• Subjects: Brain; Breast feeding; breast milk; breastfeeding; Breastfeeding & lactation; Children; Clinical trials; Cognitive ability; Cognitive development; Communicable diseases; Development and progression; Growth factors; Health aspects; human health; Infants (Newborn); Kidneys; lactation; Lung diseases; Microbiota; Premature babies; Proteins; Review; Stem cells; Type 2 diabetes; Mexico
• ISSN: 1648-9144; 1010-660X; 1648-9144
• DOI: 10.3390/medicina59091535

Breast milk (BM) is a constantly changing fluid that represents the primary source of nutrition for newborns. It is widely recognized that breastfeeding provides benefits for both the child and the mother, including a lower risk of ovarian and breast cancer, type 2 diabetes mellitus, decreased blood pressure, and more. In infants, breastfeeding has been correlated with a lower risk of infectious diseases, obesity, lower blood pressure, and decreased incidence of respiratory infections, diabetes, and asthma. Various factors, such as the baby’s sex, the health status of the mother and child, the mother’s diet, and the mode of delivery, can affect the composition of breast milk. This review focuses on the biological impact of the nutrients in BM on the development and functionality of vital organs to promote the benefit of health.