Compared to formula-fed babies, breastfed babies are more resistant to diseases and infection early on in life, according to the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD). This resistance may also continue as the child grows older and into adulthood. Breastfed babies also have a higher chance of survival during their first year of life, including a lower risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). According to the NICHD, indirect evidence suggests that breastfed babies are also less likely to be obese and may have better cognitive development than formula-fed babies. However, these links are not conclusive.
