At a glance
Breast milk is a great source of nutrition for your baby. Learn about breastfeeding recommendations and benefits, and vitamin and mineral considerations.
Breastfeeding
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans, American Academy of Pediatrics, and the World Health Organization recommend exclusive breastfeeding for about the first 6 months. They also recommend introducing appropriate complementary foods around 6 months of age while continuing to breastfeed until children are 2 years or older.
Vitamins and minerals
Breast milk is an excellent source of nutrition. However, breastfed infants will need extra vitamin D (beginning at birth), and possibly iron supplements. Learn more at Vitamins & Minerals.
Benefits
Breastfeeding is good for both you and your baby. Breast milk is the best source of nutrition for most babies. As your baby grows, your breast milk will change to meet their nutritional needs. Breastfeeding can also help protect you and your baby against some short- and long-term illnesses and diseases.
Benefits to Mother
Benefits to Baby
Mothers who breastfeed their babies have a lower risk of:
- Breast cancer.
- Ovarian cancer.
- Type 2 diabetes.
- High blood pressure.
Babies who are breastfed have a lower risk of:
- Asthma.
- Obesity.
- Type 1 diabetes.
- Severe lower respiratory disease.
- Acute otitis media (ear infections).
- Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
- Gastrointestinal infections (diarrhea/vomiting).
- Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) for preterm infants