What gastrointestinal benefit is associated with breastfeeding in infants?

Breastfeeding offers several gastrointestinal benefits for infants, one of which is decreased overfeeding. When infants are breastfed, they are able to self-regulate their intake based on their hunger cues, as breast milk is naturally tailored to meet their nutritional needs. The act of breastfeeding encourages a more intuitive feeding approach, which helps prevent the overfeeding that can sometimes occur with bottle feeding, where caregivers may more aggressively encourage the infant to finish a bottle.

Breast milk is also known to have a protective effect on the gastrointestinal tract, contributing to a healthy gut microbiome and reducing the risk of gastrointestinal illnesses. Unlike the other options presented, which suggest negative outcomes or complications, the association with decreased overfeeding underscores the protective and nurturing aspects of breastfeeding that support an infant's overall health and development. This self-regulating capacity is one of the reasons why breastfeeding is often encouraged as the optimal form of nutrition for infants.