When it comes to breastfeeding, there’s no denying that it’s an incredibly personal decision for moms to make.

There are often many factors that can impact a woman’s decision to breastfeed, including comfort levels, work schedules, and more. However, one thing that remains constant across all women is the fact that the longer you breastfeed, the more benefits there are for both mom and baby.

In this article, we’ll dive deeper into why breastfeeding duration matters and what those benefits are.

What is Breastfeeding Duration?

Before we dive deeper into the benefits of breastfeeding duration, let’s start with a simple definition of what we mean by “breastfeeding duration.” Essentially, this term refers to the length of time that a woman breastfeeds her baby. This can vary widely based on individual factors, but generally speaking, longer periods of breastfeeding are better for both mom and baby.

Benefits of Breastfeeding Duration for Baby

There are many benefits of breastfeeding for babies, but when it comes to duration specifically, some of the key benefits include:.

1. Improved Immune System

By breastfeeding for longer periods of time, babies are able to reap the benefits of the many antibodies and other immune-boosting substances in breast milk. This can help protect them from illnesses and infections both early on and later in life.

2. Lower Risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

It’s not entirely clear why, but studies have consistently shown that babies who are breastfed for longer periods of time have a lower risk of experiencing Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

Some researchers believe that this might be due to the fact that breastfed babies have lower instances of respiratory tract infections, which can be a contributing factor to SIDS in some cases.

3. Improved Cognitive Development

It’s also believed that breastfeeding for longer periods of time can have a positive impact on a baby’s cognitive development.

Specifically, some studies have shown that babies who are breastfed for longer periods of time tend to have higher IQs and better overall cognitive scores later in life.

4. Reduced Risk of Chronic Conditions

Babies who are breastfed for longer periods of time also tend to have a lower risk of developing chronic health conditions later in life, such as obesity, Type 2 diabetes, and other chronic illnesses.

While the reasons for this are not yet fully understood, it’s believed that the immune-boosting properties of breast milk may play a role in protecting against these conditions.

Benefits of Breastfeeding Duration for Mom

Of course, it’s not just babies who benefit from longer periods of breastfeeding. Moms can also reap a number of benefits from extended breastfeeding, including:.

1. Reduced Risk of Certain Cancers

It’s been shown that breastfeeding for longer periods of time can reduce a woman’s overall risk of developing certain types of cancers, including breast, ovarian, and endometrial cancers.

This is believed to be due to the hormonal changes that occur during breastfeeding, which can help protect against cancer development.

2. Lower Risk of Postpartum Depression

Postpartum depression is a serious condition that can impact many new moms, but breastfeeding for longer periods of time may actually help reduce the risk of developing this condition.

This is believed to be due to the release of certain hormones during breastfeeding, including oxytocin.

3. Easier Return to Pre-Pregnancy Weight

For many moms, losing the weight gained during pregnancy can be a challenge. However, extended breastfeeding can actually help make this process easier.

This is because breastfeeding burns calories, so the longer a woman breastfeeds, the more calories she will burn and the easier it will be to return to her pre-pregnancy weight.

4. Lower Risk of Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease

Just as it can help protect babies against chronic conditions, extended breastfeeding can also help protect moms against these same types of conditions.

Specifically, women who breastfeed for longer periods of time tend to have a lower risk of developing diabetes and cardiovascular disease later in life.

Conclusion

While every mom’s breastfeeding journey is different, the benefits of extended breastfeeding are clear for both mom and baby.

From a stronger immune system to reduced risk of chronic conditions for babies and reduced risk of certain cancers and postpartum depression for moms, the longer a woman breastfeeds, the more benefits there are to be had. Of course, the decision to breastfeed beyond a certain point is highly personal and influenced by many factors, but it’s worth considering the many benefits of breastfeeding duration when making that decision.