Breastfeeding Tips

6 months and beyond: Long-term benefits of breastfeeding

Time to read: 5 min.

Breast milk boosts your baby’s health now and in the future – and producing milk has lifelong benefits for you too. Discover the protective effects of long-term breastfeeding in our video.

Please accept the marketing-cookies to watch videos.

6 months and beyond: Long-term benefits of breastfeeding

Did you know the World Health Organization recommends feeding your baby breast milk up to two years and beyond? Extended breastfeeding can support your baby’s growth and brain development, lessen the likelihood of infections, and provide lifelong protection against type 1 diabetes and obesity. And the benefits aren’t all for your baby. The longer you produce breast milk, the less likely you are to suffer from cancers of the breast, uterus and ovaries, high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke. We tell you the amazing truth about breast milk’s benefits after six months, and why every breastfeeding mom should consider it.

Related Products

Medela Bustier Black

Hands-free™ Pumping Bustier

The Medela Hands-free™ Pumping Bustier makes pumping easy and convenient. With your breast pump and shields securely in place, you’re free to get on with other activities or simply relax.

Medela Swing Maxi™ double electric breast pump with Hands-free collection cups and tubing

Swing Maxi™ Hands-free Electric Breast Pump

Experience Medela’s new hands-free solution for on the go – the Swing Maxi™ Hands-free electric pump for outmost convenience while multi-tasking.

Medela Freestyle™ Hands-free double electric wearable breast pump and Hands-free collection cups

Freestyle™ Hands-free Breast Pump

The Freestyle Hands-free is our smallest and first wearable hands-free breast pump, designed so you can carry on with other tasks while you're expressing.

Medela Bustier Black

Hands-free™ Pumping Bustier

The Medela Hands-free™ Pumping Bustier makes pumping easy and convenient. With your breast pump and shields securely in place, you’re free to get on with other activities or simply relax.

Medela Swing Maxi™ double electric breast pump with Hands-free collection cups and tubing

Swing Maxi™ Hands-free Electric Breast Pump

Experience Medela’s new hands-free solution for on the go – the Swing Maxi™ Hands-free electric pump for outmost convenience while multi-tasking.

Medela Freestyle™ Hands-free double electric wearable breast pump and Hands-free collection cups

Freestyle™ Hands-free Breast Pump

The Freestyle Hands-free is our smallest and first wearable hands-free breast pump, designed so you can carry on with other tasks while you're expressing.

Related Articles

Articles that may be of interest

A mom breastfeeds her baby while sitting in a rocking chair by the window.

Breastfeeding Tips

Breast milk production: How supply and demand works

A mom breastfeeding her baby at night in her living room with the lights dimmed.

Pumping Tips

What to Do When Breastfed Babies Start Sleeping Through the Night

A mother is lying on her left side while her son is breastfeeding on her right side and resting quietly against her.

Breastfeeding Tips

Tips for Comfort Nursing Your Older Baby

A mom breastfeeds her baby while sitting in a rocking chair by the window.

Breastfeeding Tips

Breast milk production: How supply and demand works

A mom breastfeeding her baby at night in her living room with the lights dimmed.

Pumping Tips

What to Do When Breastfed Babies Start Sleeping Through the Night

A mother is lying on her left side while her son is breastfeeding on her right side and resting quietly against her.

Breastfeeding Tips

Tips for Comfort Nursing Your Older Baby

References

World health Organisation. [Internet] Health Topics: Breastfeeding: 2018 [Accessed: 08.02.2018].

Bener A et al. Does prolonged breastfeeding reduce the risk for childhood leukemia and lymphomas?. Minerva Pediatr. 2008;60(2):155-161.

Bowatte G et al. Breastfeeding and childhood acute otitis media: a systematic review and meta‐analysis. Acta Paediatr. 2015;104(S467):85-95.

Horta BL, Victora CG. Short-term effects of breastfeeding: a systematic review on the benefits of breastfeeding on diarrhoea and pneumonia mortality [Internet]. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2013. 49 p.

Lund-Blix NA et al. Infant feeding in relation to islet autoimmunity and type 1 diabetes in genetically susceptible children: the MIDIA study. Diabetes Care. 2015;38(2):257-263.

Horta BL, Victora CG. Long-term effects of breastfeeding-a systematic review. [Internet]. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2013. 74 p.

Belfort MB et al. Infant feeding and childhood cognition at ages 3 and 7 years: effects of breastfeeding duration and exclusivity. JAMA Pediatr. 2013;167(9):836-844.

Forestell CA, Mennella JA. Early determinants of fruit and vegetable acceptance. Pediatrics. 2007;120(6):1247-1254.

Uvnäs-Moberg K et al. Self-soothing behaviors with particular reference to oxytocin release induced by non-noxious sensory stimulation. Front Psychol. 2015;5:1529.

Peters SAE et al. Breastfeeding and the risk of maternal cardiovascular disease: a prospective study of 300 000 Chinese women. J Am Heart Assoc. 2017;6(6):e006081.

Victora CG et al. Breastfeeding in the 21st century: epidemiology, mechanisms, and lifelong effect. Lancet. 2016;387(10017):475-490.