Breastfeeding and gastrointestinal tract diseases:
Gastrointestinal tract infections in infants: Gastrointestinal tract infections occurred 64% less in infants with any history of being breastfed compared to infants fed commercial formula. The reduction of risk continued for as long as 2 months after breastfeeding was stopped. (7)
Breastfeeding and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD):
A meta-analysis of 7 studies that investigated the relationship between breastfeeding and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) demonstrated a possible protective effect for breast milk in the early development of IBD. Breastfeeding was found to have a 31% lower risk of inflammatory bowel disease in childhood. (8)