Exclusive Breastfeeding and Infant Health: Impact on Infections, Hospitalizations, and Mortality

Infant feeding choices play a crucial role on the impact of health outcomes during the first 12 months of life. Breastfeeding is known as the optimal nutrition for newborns. Yet, its effectiveness in reducing infections, hospitalizations, and mortality rates compared to formula-fed infants remains an area that requires more study. This literature review evaluates whether breastfeeding, compared to formula feeding, reduces the risk of infections, hospitalizations, and morbidity/mortality rates in newborns during their first year of life. A review of peer-reviewed studies was conducted using PubMed and CINAHL. Inclusion criteria included studies published within the last 5-years, meta analysis and peer reviewed studies that compared health outcomes between exclusively breastfed and formula fed infants. Exclusion criteria were studies focusing on health outcomes after the first year of life, and mixed feedings. Studies analyzed data on infection rates, hospital admissions, and mortality statistics. The findings indicate that breastfed infants have a lower incidence of respiratory and gastrointestinal infections, reduced hospitalizations, and a decreased risk of mortality compared to formula-fed infants. Breastfeeding rates in the United States remain low compared to other countries in the world. The results from research support breastfeeding as the optimal feeding choice for improving infant health outcomes and highlight the continued need for encouragement and facilitation of breastfeeding. In summary, breastfeeding is associated with significant health benefits for infants. Increased efforts are needed to support and promote breastfeeding through education, policy, and the use of healthcare resources to improve infant health outcomes.