How does breastfeeding benefit mothers? promotes bonding between the mother and infant prevents post-partum hemmorhage makes it easier for mothers to lose weight gained during pregnancy as breastfeeding uses up extra calories saves time and money decreases the mother's risk of osteoporosis, breast cancer, ovarian cancer and endometrial cancer aids in decreasing the insulin requirements in diabetic mothers is a natural contraceptive How does breastfeeding benefit infants? contains antibodies which protect the infant from various illnesses and infections contains all the nutrient requirements for the infant's normal growth and development (such as fat, sugar, water, protein) can protect the infant from developing allergies can increase the infant's intelligence may decrease the infant's risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome