Let’s Chat About The Benefits of Breastmilk
One of the most common concerns I hear from parents is whether the small amount of breast milk they’re able to provide actually makes a difference. Maybe you’re struggling with low supply, returning to work, or combination feeding with formula. Whatever your situation, I want you to know this: any amount of breast milk you can provide your baby is beneficial.
A note before we begin: If you cannot nurse due to medical issues, mental health concerns, or personal choice, this post is not meant to make you feel bad. There are many ways to raise a healthy baby, but if you need encouragement on providing breast milk, this blog is meant to encourage you!
What Makes Breast Milk So Beneficial?
Human milk is truly remarkable. It contains an incredible combination of nutrients, vitamins, minerals, anti-inflammatory factors, white blood cells, human growth factors, enzymes, and more. But what really sets breast milk apart is its immunological properties.
Research has consistently shown that human milk contains antibodies that provide immediate protection against pathogens and help shape your baby’s lifelong immunity. These antibodies are highly concentrated, which means even a small quantity of breast milk can offer valuable immune protection.
There is never a point where you are making “too little” for it to have a benefit. Whether you’re nursing, using expressed breast milk, or supplementing with donor milk, any amount can help your infant receive these protective benefits.
Click here for our freebie that includes tips on optimizing milk supply!
What Does the Research Say?
Let’s look at what the scientific evidence tells us about the benefits of breast milk, even in small amounts or when combined with formula feeding.
Protection Against SIDS
A large meta-analysis examining individual participant data found that any amount of breastfeeding, whether exclusive or partial in combination with formula, provides protection against Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The research showed that breastfeeding for at least two months reduces the risk of SIDS by nearly half, and longer breastfeeding duration increases this protection even further [1].
Blood Pressure Benefits Starting in Infancy
Research has found that babies who consumed breast milk, even for just a few days, had lower blood pressure at 3 years of age compared to children who never received any breast milk. This finding held true regardless of how long breastfeeding continued or whether the baby also received formula and complementary foods [2].
Brain Development Benefits from Partial Breastfeeding
Even when breast milk is offered alongside formula feeding, it changes the infant fecal metabolome, which is essentially the microbiome of an infant’s gut, in ways that positively influence brain development. This means combination feeding still provides neurodevelopmental benefits for your baby [3].
Protection for Premature Infants
For premature babies, even modest amounts of breast milk can make a significant difference. Research on premature infants found that those who received 50ml per kg of body weight per day of breast milk through the first 4 weeks of life had decreased risk of sepsis (blood infection) [4].
Another study on extremely premature infants showed that those given at least 50ml per kg per day of breast milk had lower rates of both late-onset sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a serious intestinal condition that can affect preterm babies [5].
Overall, the evidence consistently shows that breast milk provides benefits at various amounts and durations, including reduced SIDS risk, lower blood pressure in childhood, improved gut health supporting brain development, and protection against serious infections in premature infants.
Options If You Can’t Nurse or Produce Enough Milk
If you’re not able to nurse directly or you cannot produce enough milk, there are still ways to provide breast milk benefits to your baby. Using expressed breast milk from pumping sessions allows you to provide whatever volume that you are able to produce. Donor breast milk from a certified milk bank is another option that can help infants receive these immune-boosting benefits. Remember, combination feeding (breast milk plus formula) still provides benefits.
Remember you can access our freebie on optimizing milk supply here!
Frequently Asked Questions
How much breast milk does my baby need to get benefits? There’s no minimum threshold. Research shows benefits from any amount of breast milk, whether that’s exclusive breastfeeding, a few ounces a day, or even just the first few days of colostrum!
Is donor breast milk as beneficial as my own milk? Donor breast milk, especially from certified milk banks, provides many of the same immune and nutritional benefits. While your own milk is specifically tailored to your baby, donor milk is still beneficial and is often used in NICUs for premature infants.
I’m only able to provide a small amount. Is it worth the effort? Absolutely. The antibodies and immune factors in breast milk are highly concentrated, meaning even small amounts provide meaningful protection. Every drop you provide is helping your baby.
Summary
If you’re providing any amount of breast milk to your baby, whether it’s exclusive breastfeeding, pumping what you can, or supplementing with formula – you are giving your baby valuable immune protection and health benefits backed by research. There is no amount “too small” to matter. Whatever combination works for you and your baby is the right choice for your family!
References
- Thompson JMD, Tanabe K, Moon RY, Mitchell EA, McGarvey C, Tappin D, Blair PS, Hauck FR. Duration of Breastfeeding and Risk of SIDS: An Individual Participant Data Meta-analysis. Pediatrics. 2017;140(5):e20171324.
- Froń A, Orczyk-Pawiłowicz M. Breastfeeding Beyond Six Months: Evidence of Child Health Benefits. Nutrients. 2024;16(22):3891.
- Chalifour B, Holzhausen EA, Lim JJ, et al. The potential role of early life feeding patterns in shaping the infant fecal metabolome: implications for neurodevelopmental outcomes. npj Metabolic Health and Disease. 2023;1:2.
- Furman L, Taylor G, Minich N, Hack M. The effect of maternal milk on neonatal morbidity of very low-birth-weight infants. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2003;157(1):66-71.
- Schanler RJ, Lau C, Hurst NM, Smith EO. Randomized trial of donor human milk versus preterm formula as substitutes for mothers’ own milk in the feeding of extremely premature infants. Pediatrics. 2005;116(2):400-6.
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Cinthia Scott is a Registered Dietitian (RD) and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) with over 10 years experience in the field of dietetics. Cinthia focuses on ensuring optimal nutrition in the first 1000 days of life to ensure optimal growth and development as well as set the stage for long-term health. Cindy is an author, starting solids expert, and advocate for caregivers receiving evidence based education and support surrounding breastfeeding and starting solids.
Cinthia is co-author of the 101beforeone Starting Solids Book, “101beforeone -baby-led feeding cookbook,” and is the founder and owner of The Baby Dietitian LLC which is her private practice built to provide virtual 1:1 services for caregivers surrounding infant nutrition, toddler nutrition, and breastfeeding support. Cinthia is also the creator of the Starting Solids 101 Program which provides caregivers 1:1 support from a Pediatric Dietitian on how to provide optimal nutrition from the start and create healthy eating habits that will last their whole lifetime. To work with Cinthia, you can access her services here.
Cinthia provides tons of free information for parents on her social media accounts as well.
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