Worldwide, breastfeeding rates are low and in the UK fewer than 1% of babies are breastfed until the age of 12 months.
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In the UK fewer than 1% of babies are breastfed until the age of 12 months
The researchers analysed data from 28 systematic reviews of previous research, and also outlined other benefits, including: breastfed babies having higher IQs and less risk of infection and less risk of sudden infant death syndrome than those who are breastfed for shorter periods or not at all.
There was also some evidence that breastfeeding may offer protection against diabetes and obesity later in life; and for mums it may reduce the risk of ovarian cancer and type 2 diabetes.
Lead researcher Professor Cesar Victora, from the Federal University of Pelotas in Brazil, said: "There is a widespread misconception that breast milk can be replaced with artificial products without detrimental consequences.
"The evidence, contributed by some of the leading experts in the field, leaves no doubt that the decision not to breastfeed has major long-term negative effects on the health, nutrition and development of children and on women's health."
Siobhan Freegard, founder of video parenting site Channel Mum commented that the UK's low breastfeeding rate isn't due to a lack of knowledge among mums about the benefits of breastfeeding.
"The very low UK breastfeeding rates aren’t down to a lack of education or lack of will from mums - they’re due to a lack of support and funding," she explained to HuffPost UK Parents.
“Mums know breast is best and four in five do try to breastfeed as soon as their baby is born.
"But breastfeeding is a skill that needs to be taught and nurtured. It can take hours to get it right and that means patience and perseverance, especially when new mums and exhausted and in pain.
"However overstretched maternity wards and overworked midwifes simply aren’t able to provide this kind of care right now, as they care coping with a baby boom and are thousands of midwives short.
"If we are serious about increasing breastfeeding rates, we need to invest more funds for more midwives to help mums nurse straight after birth and in the early weeks.
"The cost of this would be low in comparison with the long-term health benefits, as show in the Lancet report. It needs a long term view with long term benefits for mothers, babies and the entire NHS."
The new research also suggested incresing the number of breastfed infants aged under six months in the UK to 45% could save the NHS around £20 million.
Breastfeeding In England
Jody(01 of10)
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Breastfeeding my son is probably my proudest achievement to date. I have overcome excruciating pain from bad latch, mastitis and frequent blocked ducts. There have been so many tears, yet it’s still he most incredible thing I’ve ever done.
Knowing that for six whole months my body provided his only nutrition makes me feel all kinds of incredible, and thanks to breastfeeding we have shared so many hazy, lazy uninterrupted moments of pure calm, just us two. (credit:Suzie Blake)
Eleanor(02 of10)
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(credit:Suzie Blake)
Lisa(03 of10)
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Ella is my second child. With my first, Gracie, I wasn’t particularly bothered about breastfeeding.
I thought I’d give it a go, but figured I’d just do formula if it didn’t work out. But then she was born 10 weeks early and I had amazing support to help me breastfeed her.
I felt helpless in so many other ways, breastfeeding became important to me. I ended up feeding her until her 4th birthday, so when I had Ella, there was no question that I was going to breastfeed her. (credit:Suzie Blake)
Tahnia(04 of10)
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(credit:Suzie Blake)
Emma(05 of10)
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My breastfeeding relationship has been all about learning and working.
I didn’t plan this. I told a friend “I’m not going to be like you, feeding a child at school”, but actually it’s easy and natural and normal (biologically speaking) and the gift of natural term weaning is one of the greatest I can give to my child.
I love being able to tandem feed. Sometimes they hold hands. Sometimes my son tries to unlatch his sister, poking his finger in her mouth, or pokes her eyes. He shares his boobs reluctantly! (credit:Suzie Blake)
Veronica(06 of10)
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(credit:Suzie Blake)
Kathryn(07 of10)
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I don’t particularly enjoy breastfeeding, but it fits with my path of least resistance approach to parenting. Sad baby? Hurt baby? Bored baby? Awake in the middle of the night? Too sick to eat solid food? It’s very easy to offer her some milk and she quickly gets over whatever is bothering her.
It wasn’t easy to start with but once we both got the hang of things, I was glad we persevered. It makes life a lot easier. That said, I still don’t like feeding her in public. She’s an extreme wiggler and if she’s not yanking my hair, she’s trying to pull out my teeth or attempting to fit her entire fist in my mouth. Inevitably, I end up flashing more flesh than I intended, but no one ever seems to notice. (credit:Suzie Blake)
Zena(08 of10)
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(credit:Suzie Blake)
Catherine(09 of10)
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Feeding my first son was agony, more painful than labour, and a brief mention that he was tongue tied was all the information I was given, leaving me confused and still unable to feed.
His latch was poor and he was a very hungry, angry baby. My mum gave me what she thought was good advice: ‘Just give him a bottle’. So he was bottle fed and I shed a few tears that I had 'failed’ to give birth properly and then 'failed’ to breastfeed my beautiful first son.
Two years later and a familiar long labour at a superb hospital, with all the support a woman could hope for eventually still led to another c-section. But this time, for the last baby I intend to have, I just wanted to do something natural. I wanted to feed him so much that I would do anything.
Feeding him hurt so much and he was diagnosed with tt, which I had corrected. I was given exemplary support from the team at King’s Hospital but my nipples still bled and I had mastitis twice. He would feed for 90 minutes sometimes. It still took three months for the pain to subside and then… One day, it stopped hurting. He got fatter and happier and I fell in love a million times with him and with nourishing him in the most natural way possible. (credit:Suzie Blake)
Nicola(10 of10)
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There’s a lot of controversy about the pressure that mums are put under to breastfeed, and I think it should only be done with pleasure rather than duty or guilt. If a mum chooses not to breastfeed, or can’t, then it would be a real shame if they felt judged; as a parent you can only make the right choice for you and your baby. (credit:Suzie Blake)