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Updated: Jun 16, 2026

A Common Marmoset Model of Mother-Infant Intervention for Breastfeeding Disorders in the Presence of Paternal Inhibition and Maternal Neglect
05:04

A Common Marmoset Model of Mother-Infant Intervention for Breastfeeding Disorders in the Presence of Paternal Inhibition and Maternal Neglect

Published on: September 22, 2023

The risks of not breastfeeding for mothers and infants

Alison Stuebe1

  • 1Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC.

Reviews in Obstetrics & Gynecology
|January 30, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Breastfeeding significantly improves health outcomes for both infants and mothers, reducing risks of infections, chronic diseases, and certain cancers. Obstetricians play a key role in promoting evidence-based breastfeeding care from birth.

Area of Science:

  • Public Health
  • Maternal and Child Health
  • Preventive Medicine

Background:

  • Health outcomes vary significantly between formula-feeding and breastfeeding dyads in developed nations.
  • Non-breastfeeding is linked to increased infant infectious morbidity and risks of obesity, diabetes, leukemia, and SIDS.
  • Maternal risks of not breastfeeding include increased incidence of breast and ovarian cancers, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the substantial health disparities between formula-feeding and breastfeeding for mothers and infants.
  • To underscore the critical role of obstetricians in educating mothers on the health impacts of breastfeeding.
  • To emphasize the need for evidence-based care for mothers and infants, commencing at birth.

Main Methods:

  • This study is a review of existing literature and health outcome data.
  • It analyzes the differential health consequences associated with breastfeeding versus formula feeding.
  • The focus is on identifying key health risks and benefits for both maternal and infant populations.

Main Results:

  • Infants not breastfed face higher rates of infectious diseases and increased risks for obesity, type 1 and type 2 diabetes, leukemia, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
  • Mothers who do not breastfeed have a greater incidence of premenopausal breast cancer, ovarian cancer, type 2 diabetes, myocardial infarction, and metabolic syndrome.
  • Significant health benefits are associated with breastfeeding for both mother and child.

Conclusions:

  • Breastfeeding confers substantial, long-term health advantages for infants and mothers, mitigating risks of numerous serious conditions.
  • Obstetricians are pivotal in providing crucial counseling and ensuring appropriate, evidence-based care to support breastfeeding initiation and continuation.
  • Early and consistent support for breastfeeding from healthcare providers is essential for optimizing maternal and infant health outcomes.

Keywords:
Antenatal careBreastfeedingInfant health outcomesLactation

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