Protective effects against

Childhood obesity Inflammatory bowel disease Celiac disease Diabetes Asthma Acute Otitis Media (ear infections) Respiratory infections Risk of childhood Leukemia and possibly other cancers

Promotes
Healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels in adulthood Easy absorption of minerals for better nutrient utilization Active and passive protection against infections Development of the central nervous system and better mental development from the Omega 3 fatty acid DHA Growth of healthy bacteria in the sterile gastrointestinal tract of newborns from over 130 different oligosaccharides Improved cognitive development by increased brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) which is involved with learning and memory processing and storage

http://www.lalecheleague.org/

http://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/index.html