Long-term benefits of breastfeeding

Exclusively breastfeeding during the first six months of life is a worldwide accepted mode of feeding infants. Breast milk not only provides the needs of the infant for appropriate growth and development, but also lowers the mortality and morbidity by protecting against infections. It may also have some benefits for the following years and even for the adulthood. Numerous studies conducted on the late effects of breastfeeding reported sometimes inconsistent findings. We hope that review including last scientific knowledge would be helpful for physicians who deal with pregnants, newborns and infants to remember the benefits of breastfeeding. (Turk Arch Ped 2010; 45: 309-14)