Breastfeeding is Good for a Mother's Heart
University of Pittsburgh Studies Impact of Breastfeeding on Mother's Health
The University of Pittsburgh study which will be published in the May issue of Obstetrics and Gynecology focused on the breastfeeding history of nearly 140,000 middle-aged mothers, all in their 50s.
The researchers found that breastfeeding protects women from heart disease, heart attacks and strokes. Amazingly the study has found that women who breastfeed for more than a year are up to 20% less likely to suffer a heart attack or stroke.
"Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women, so it's vitally important for us to know what we can do to protect ourselves," said Eleanor Bimla Schwarz, M.D., M.S., assistant professor of medicine, epidemiology, and obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences at the University of Pittsburgh. The University of Pittsburgh study also found that even a single month of breastfeeding lowers the risk of many health issues which can lead to heart disease such as diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. As such Dr. Schwarz commented "The longer a mother nurses her baby, the better for both of them... Our study provides another good reason for workplace policies to encourage women to breastfeed their infants."
While the results of the University of Pittsburgh study clearly point to there being health advantages for mothers who breastfeed, the study also indicated that the health benefits faded as some women aged due to other variables such as diet and low levels of physical activity which "could potentially overtake the effect of having breastfed when she was younger," according to Dr. Schwarz.
Dr Schwartz said: "Breastfeeding is an important part of the way women's bodies recover from pregnancy. When this process is interrupted, women are more likely to have a number of health problems."
Perhaps due to the interruption in the natural process of breastfeeding, noted by Dr. Schwartz, past studies have shown women who do not breast feed are at higher risk for both ovarian and breast cancer.
Dr. Schwartz hopes that her study will encourage more women to breastfeed.
Schwarz, Eleanor Bimla MD, Duration of Lactation and Risk Factors for Maternal Cardiovascular DiseaseObstetrics and Gynecology
Moms who breastfeed less likely to develop heart attacks or strokes www.bio-medicine.org
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Formerly known as Baton Rouge Lagniappe, now just plain Lagniappe roams the world reading, writing, and loving. View profile
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- Women who breastfeed for more than a year are up to 20% less likely to suffer a heart attack
- Even a single month of breastfeeding lowers the risk of many health issues.
- Women who do not breast feed are at higher risk for both ovarian and breast cancer.
4 Comments
Post a CommentLike all things beneficial to your health, I'm sure the benefits of breastfeeding are not 100% guarantees. Genetics and other health issues can often complicated the results of even the best habits.
Good to know breastfeeding has health benefits for the mother. As for protecting against obesity, I don't know about that, because a relative of mine nursed all three of her kids for almost two years each, and after every baby became obese despite eating healthy and getting plenty of exercise. She finally found a program that helped her, however.
I'd like to see all those people who say take it to the bathroom try to eat their lunch in a public stall. It's absolutely ridiculous. Sadly these anti-breastfeeders lawmakers tend to be the same hypocrites who claim to be part of the 'baby-loving,' anti-abortion lobby.
I think in 3 states it is still ILLEGAL to breastfeed in public: Nebraska, North Dakota, and Idaho.
A N. Dakota bill demands that women feed in a "discreet and modest" manner. This might end up being worse then no law at all.
With all the health benefits of breastfeeding, I don't understand why some religious people are so offended. They always say do it in the bathroom!
The Topfree Equal Rights Association helps women who get arrested for feeding baby in public.
I am sick of Puritans-women should have the same rights men have!