There are numerous benefits for both mother and baby from breast-feeding. Some are short-term, such as protection from many childhood illnesses and the mother's more rapid return to her pre-pregnancy weight. Other benefits are more long-term, such as a lower chance of the baby becoming obese. It appears, however, that the protection from obesity doesn't apply to all infants.
Breast-feeding for less than three months provides infants with no protection from obesity. That doesn't mean women shouldn't breast-feed for less than three months if that works best for them. Rather, the mothers must be aware that short-term breast-feeding doesn't convey as many benefits as continuning for more than three months.
Breast-feeding between three and twelve months protects children from being both overweight or underweight. This protection lasts at least up to four-years old. There isn't data as yet for older children. The effect of breast-feeding after one year isn't known. This protection is seen only in non-Hispanic white children.
Finding a relationship is interesting, but what's really important is figuring out why the relationship exists. Breast-fed children are better able to adjust and control how much they eat as compared to their bottle-fed peers. The hormonal response is different in breast-fed children. Formula feeding causes a greater release of insulin which may result in greater fat deposition. Another possible reason for more obesity in formula-fed children is the higher protein content of formula. This may "program" the formula-fed children to deposit more fat.
An interesting question is why breast-feeding protects only non-Hispanic white children from later obesity. This may be due to behavioral factors such as cultural-related dietary and physical activity patterns. This may be the reason white Hispanic children are twice as likely as non-Hispanic white children to be obese.
Another factor is when solids are introduced into the baby's diet. Black and Hispanic parents tend to start solid foods sooner than white parents. Starting solids earlier leads to a shorter duration of breast-feeding, earlier use of formula, and less protection from subsequent obesity.
Breast-milk is the best source of nutrition for babies. The longer babies are breast-fed, the healthier they are. And for non-Hispanic children, the less likely they are to be obese or underweight.
Pediatrics, 2/04
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