Breastfeeding and Health Outcomes for Infants and Children: A Systematic Review.

CONTEXT

Our understanding of the benefits of breastfeeding and the consumption of human milk for specific infant outcomes and the magnitude of those benefits continues to evolve.

OBJECTIVE

Review the evidence on the association between breastfeeding and child health outcomes.

DATA SOURCES

Systematic literature searches in MEDLINE, Embase and CINAHL for English-language articles published from 2006 to August 14, 2024.

STUDY SELECTION

Existing systematic reviews (ESRs) and primary studies comparing various breastfeeding exposures and child health outcomes among term infants in developed countries.

DATA EXTRACTION

Abstracted data on study design, demographics, breastfeeding exposures and referents, and outcomes. Results of ESRs were synthesized alongside those of newer primary studies.

RESULTS

Twenty-nine ESRs and 145 primary studies were included. An association indicating a reduced risk from more versus less breastfeeding was apparent for moderate-to-severe respiratory and gastrointestinal infections, otitis media, allergic rhinitis, asthma, malocclusion, inflammatory bowel disease, type 1 diabetes, rapid weight gain and growth, obesity, systolic blood pressure, childhood leukemia, and infant mortality. There was no clear threshold of breastfeeding duration that appeared to be most beneficial for any outcome. There was little data on any associations varied by mode of breastfeeding or source of breastmilk.

LIMITATIONS

Observational studies with risks of bias related to confounding, missing data and a lack of consistency in measurement and reporting of breastfeeding exposures.

CONCLUSIONS

Breastfeeding is associated with beneficial effects for several infant and child outcomes. Further research that addresses the limitations of existing studies is needed to continue to inform national initiatives.