Why Breastfeeding Matters: For Today and For the Future By: Taylor Hussey

Hey mama, let’s talk about something close to my heart–breastfeeding. If you’re here, you probably already know that breast milk is often called liquid gold. But did you know that it doesn’t just help your baby right now? It can actually have ripple effects years down the road. Pretty amazing, right?

The Here-and-Now Benefits

Breast milk is perfectly designed for your baby. It delivers just the right nutrition, antibodies, and protective factors to help your little one grow strong and healthy. Researchers found that breastfeeding is one of the most effective ways to reduce infant mortality and give babies the immune support they need in those critical first months of life (Roghair, 2024).

And here’s the cool part–it doesn’t just benefit your baby. Breastfeeding helps you, too. It supports your recovery after birth, reduces your lifetime risk of breast and ovarian cancers, and even lowers the chance of developing type 2 diabetes later on. In other words, breastfeeding is a win-win.

Brain Power Beyond the Bottle

But the story doesn’t stop there. Another study looked at kids down the road at age five and found something fascinating. Children who were breastfed between 6 to 12 months showed better language skills and more positive behavior outcomes compared to their peers (Zhelyazkova et al., 2025).

Think about that: the nourishment you’re giving today may actually shape how your child learns, communicates, and interacts years from now. Of course, breastfeeding isn’t the only factor in brain development–but it’s one simple, natural tool that can make a real difference.

What This Means for You

Feeding your baby is a big job, and it can feel overwhelming at times. If breastfeeding is part of your journey, here’s what the research reminds us:

• You’re giving your baby powerful protection right now.

• You may be supporting their learning and behavior later on.

• You’re also giving yourself long-term health benefits.

And if you need support–whether it’s questions about latch, pumping, or milk supply–that’s exactly what we’re here for at Breezy Babies.

The Bottom Line

Breastfeeding isn’t just about the moment–it’s about building a foundation for the future. From protecting newborns to boosting brain development, the research is clear: breast milk truly is liquid gold.

So take a deep breath, mama. You’re doing something incredible for your baby and for yourself. And remember–you don’t have to do it alone. Breezy Babies is here to support your every step of the way. 

Sources

Roghair, R. (2024). Breastfeeding: Benefits to infant and mother. Nutrients, 16(19), 3251. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16193251  Read here

Zhelyazkova, D., Dzhogova, M., Popova, S., & Pancheva, R. (2025). Beyond infant nutrition: Investigating the long-term neurodevelopmental impact of breastfeeding. Nutrients, 17(16), 2578. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17162578  Read here