17 Amazing Facts About Breastfeeding

13. Breastfeeding May Reduce Allergy Development

Allergies can be super difficult to live with, particularly when you’re a kid, but there’s some good news. It turns out that breastfeeding might decrease the likelihood of eczema, wheezing and allergies to cow’s milk, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.

14. Extended Breastfeeding Has Its Benefits

While extended breastfeeding might not be thought of as ‘normal’ in Western countries, it is quite normal in other places. In fact, extended breastfeeding has all the same benefits for an older baby or toddler as it does for a newborn, and some studies have even correlated a higher IQ to extended breastfeeding.

15. Breast Milk Can Prevent Tooth Rot

Yep, breast milk really can do anything! The Australian Breastfeed Association released some research that showed that, thanks to the antibodies present in breast milk, it can prevent tooth decay by stopping dangerous bacteria growth.

16. Breastfed Babies Are More Independent

There are a range of health benefits for babies whose mums are able to breastfeed, but we get you didn’t know what breastfed babies are more independent. A study by Breastfeeding Inc claimed that breastfed babies are more independent kids, and they’re more secure in that independence.

17. Breastfeeding Reduces Breast Cancer Risk

This one is definitely cool! A study by Lund University Publications said that the longer a woman breastfeeds, the less likely she is to develop cancer. Even more amazing is that when you nurse your baby girl, you’re actually reducing her risk of breast cancer in her life by 25%!