Breastfeeding is a process that involves a baby sucking on the mother's breast to get milk. Sometimes breast milk may be replaced with formula for a variety of reasons. These reasons can be the death of the baby's mother, the fact that the mother works and is always absent and some mothers simply opt for formula milk. The formula has several advantages: it is readily available, cheaper and easy to control. Breast milk is sometimes referred to as the line of equality between very rich and poor parents (Pryor & Kathleen, 2010). All babies are fortunate to receive all the nutrients found in breast milk at no additional cost. There are numerous studies on the effects of breastfeeding on both mothers and newborns. However, these studies mainly focus on the short-term benefits but not the long-term benefits of the process discussed. This article serves to study the long-term benefits of breast milk from a growth, nutrition, and biocultural perspective. In this study “long-term” refers to a period of no less than two years. What exactly does breast milk consist of that makes it so miraculous and important in the growth and development of a baby? Breast milk contains long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids that are not found in baby foods, as well as antibiotics to protect against disease. In addition, it also contains all the vitamins necessary for the human body. In essence, it is just food that contains everything a child needs for proper growth and healthy development. Previous studies have indicated that the benefits of breastfeeding outweigh the benefits of formula. These benefits are for both mother and baby. The research also indicated that these well... middle of paper... should adopt these practices. Formula milk should be used as an option but not as a substitute for breastfeeding. Works Cited Hormann, Elizabeth. Breastfeeding an adopted child and relactation. Schaumburg, IL: La LecheLeague International, 2006. Print.Lawrence, Ruth A., and Robert M. Lawrence. Breastfeeding: A Guide for the Medical Profession.Maryland Heights, Mo: Mosby/Elsevier, 2011. Print.Pryor, Gayle, and Kathleen Huggins. Nursing mother, working mother: the essential guide to breastfeeding your baby before and after returning to work. Sydney, NSW: Read HowYou Want, 2010. Print.Riordan, Jan and Karen Wambach. Breastfeeding and human breastfeeding. Sudbury, Mass: Jones and Bartlett Publishers, 2010. Print.Rubin, Stacey H. The ABCs of Breastfeeding, Everything a Mom Needs to Know for a Happy Nursing Experience. New York: AMACOM, 2008. Print.