Besides saving a ton of money from not having to buy expensive baby formula, there are several long term benefits breastfeeding provides that help both mother and child. An infant feeding on breast milk receives hundreds of proteins, vitamins and minerals per feeding. All these proteins and vitamins will affect an infant’s health later on in life. Research has shown that the long term benefits of breastfeeding reach adulthood; adults who were breastfed as infants are less likely to be overweight or obese as adults.

That is not the only good news for breastfed infants. The nourishment a mother’s breast milk provides also helps infants fight off infections in their early years. Breastfed babies are less likely to get ear infections in the first year of life, as well as suffer less incidents or severity of pneumonia and meningitis. As for long term affects, breastfed babies are less likely to develop asthma, allergies and eczema.

Breastfed babies are not the only ones making out like bandits; moms benefit from breastfeeding as well. A breastfeeding mom uses a lot of energy in the production of milk and that causes her body to use calories. This can cause a breastfeeding mom to lose weight if she maintains her food intake and doesn’t overeat. Breastfeeding moms also develop a smaller risk for breast and ovarian cancer. Finally, a lactating mom who breastfeeds for at least six months delays the return of her menstrual cycle and is less likely to become pregnant in the first six months of a child’s birth.

A feeding baby has only one thing in mind when it attaches itself to its mother’s breast as it satisfies its hunger. However, they will realize later on in life that their mother did plenty more to improve their health as adults. Breast milk not only serves as food, it is also an antidote and protects an infant well into adulthood.