Breastfeeding provides infants with bioactive components such as immunomodulators, antimicrobials, and prebiotics that influence the infant's microbiome and immune system development, leading to various health benefits from infancy through adulthood. These include reduced risks of infections, obesity, type 1 diabetes, and childhood leukemia. For mothers, breastfeeding reduces postpartum bleeding, depression, and long-term risks of type 2 diabetes, breast and ovarian cancer, and cardiovascular diseases. Beyond mothers and infants, breastfeeding has societal benefits by reducing avoidable morbidity and mortality costs. The review discusses the health benefits of breastfeeding, its impact on the infant gut microbiome, and the mechanisms behind these effects. It also highlights the long-term health benefits, including neurodevelopment, metabolic health, and cancer prevention. Breastfeeding is associated with reduced risks of childhood leukemia, asthma, and allergies. Maternal health benefits include reduced postpartum bleeding, depression, and lower risks of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Societal implications include significant economic benefits from preventing preventable diseases and mortality. Future research is needed to better understand the mechanisms of breastfeeding's health effects and to promote breastfeeding globally. The review emphasizes the importance of breastfeeding for both individual and public health.Breastfeeding provides infants with bioactive components such as immunomodulators, antimicrobials, and prebiotics that influence the infant's microbiome and immune system development, leading to various health benefits from infancy through adulthood. These include reduced risks of infections, obesity, type 1 diabetes, and childhood leukemia. For mothers, breastfeeding reduces postpartum bleeding, depression, and long-term risks of type 2 diabetes, breast and ovarian cancer, and cardiovascular diseases. Beyond mothers and infants, breastfeeding has societal benefits by reducing avoidable morbidity and mortality costs. The review discusses the health benefits of breastfeeding, its impact on the infant gut microbiome, and the mechanisms behind these effects. It also highlights the long-term health benefits, including neurodevelopment, metabolic health, and cancer prevention. Breastfeeding is associated with reduced risks of childhood leukemia, asthma, and allergies. Maternal health benefits include reduced postpartum bleeding, depression, and lower risks of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Societal implications include significant economic benefits from preventing preventable diseases and mortality. Future research is needed to better understand the mechanisms of breastfeeding's health effects and to promote breastfeeding globally. The review emphasizes the importance of breastfeeding for both individual and public health.