Benefits of Breastfeeding

Health Benefits for Mothers

Breastfeeding offers numerous health benefits for mothers, including the ability to reset the physiological changes that occur during pregnancy. While pregnancy typically leads to increased total body cholesterol and triglyceride levels, the cholesterol-rich breast milk aids in mobilizing fat stores. Furthermore, lactation burns approximately 500 calories daily.

Research on Breastfeeding and Cardiovascular Health

A recent study published in JAMA Network Open explored the potential of breastfeeding in preventing diabetes and hypertension, two common preventable risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Researchers conducted a review of various studies by collecting data from multiple electronic databases, focusing on adult women who breastfed for at least 12 months, with hypertension and diabetes as outcomes.

Study Participants and Findings

The analysis included data from four studies on breastfeeding and diabetes, involving a total of 206,204 participants. Additionally, five studies focused on breastfeeding and hypertension, with 255,271 participants. The results indicated that breastfeeding for more than a year was linked to a relative risk reduction of 30% for diabetes and 13% for hypertension.

Implications for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention

These findings suggest that breastfeeding may significantly lower the risk of developing cardiovascular disease by reducing the risks associated with diabetes and hypertension. It is crucial to educate mothers about these benefits, as this knowledge can be integrated into routine clinical practice to promote cardiovascular health.

Recommendations for Future Health

According to the authors of the study, “The prenatal and antenatal period is an important opportunity to educate women about lifestyle interventions that may protect their health in the future. In addition to weight loss, smoking cessation, and exercise, breastfeeding should also be recommended owing to its benefits for the mother.”

Author and Reference

Written by Dr. Radhika Baitari, MS
Reference: Rameez, R., Sadana, D., Kaur, S., Ahmed, T., Patel, J., Khan, M., Misbah, S., Simonson, M., Riaz, H. and Ahmed, H. (2019). Association of Maternal Lactation with Diabetes and Hypertension. JAMA Network Open, 2(10), p.e1913401.
Image by Iuliia Bondarenko from Pixabay.