Even just partial breastfeeding for the first two months cuts SIDS risk in half

Some is better than none at all. Certainly when it comes to breasrtfeeding, it seems. Several studies have previously pointed out that exclusive breastfeeding helps to drastically reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), which, while proving just how healthy breastfeeding is, has also been known to cause a bit of distress to mums who for any reason have not been able to breastfeed their babies. However, now a new, comprehensive review of several combined studies will no doubt come as good news to mothers who could only breastfeed for a short time or have to supplement with formula.

According to the study, which was published in the November issue of Pediatrics, any breastfeeding, no matter how much or how long, has the same effect, Forbes reports.

What the researchers found, was that there is, in fact, very little difference between babies who were exclusively breastfed, and those who received a combination of formula and breastmilk, at least when it comes to reducing the risk of SIDS. According to Working Mother magazine, the study review found that any breastfeeding for the first 2-4 months reduces the risk of SIDS by about 40 percent. Any breastfeeding for 4-6 months reduces the risk of SIDS by about 60 percent. And any breastfeeding for longer than 6 months reduces the risk of SIDS by about 74 percent.