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Review
. 2013 Feb;60(1):31-48.
doi: 10.1016/j.pcl.2012.09.010. Epub 2012 Nov 3.

Breastfeeding and health outcomes for the mother-infant dyad

Christine M Dieterich  1 , Julia P Felice, Elizabeth O'Sullivan, Kathleen M Rasmussen
Affiliations
Review

Breastfeeding and health outcomes for the mother-infant dyad

Christine M Dieterich et al. Pediatr Clin North Am. 2013 Feb.

Abstract

Worldwide, breastfeeding saves the lives of infants and reduces their disease burden. Breastfeeding also reduces the disease burden for mothers. This article examines who chooses to breastfeed and for how long in the United States. It also reviews the latest evidence about the consequences of breastfeeding for the health of the infant and mother. This review provides support for current national and international recommendations that support breastfeeding.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Possible mechanisms through which breastfeeding promotes healthy infant weight status
Represented here are caregiver behaviors and the contents of human milk have effects on the breastfed infant’s self-regulation of intake, growth and metabolism, and the intestinal microbiome, which in turn promote development of healthy weight. (+) beneficial effect; (−) detrimental effect; HMO=human milk oligosaccharides.
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