As many of you know, I am a huge fan of breastfeeding. It is not because I am a tree hugging Northern California Bay Area mom, nor is it because I found it so easy to do (at first I thought it quite challenging and not so fun.) But there is tons of research supporting how good it is for your baby. Now here is a reason to do it for someone else- YOU.
A new study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found breast feeding exclusively for 6 months lowers the mom’s risk of cancer by 17% and heart disease by 8%.
!!
The study was done in Europe, on 380,000 people over the course of 13 years. They were looking at lifestyle choices and how they affect future health.
- body fatness- lean but not underweight
- physical activity- 30 minutes a day
- foods & drinks which promote weight gain – no high calorie, sugary foods
- alcohol- lower your intake
- animal foods- lower meat eating
- plant foods- increase vegetable eating
- and for women, breastfeeding- 6 months
If you scored 6-7 points for women, you had a 34% lower chance of death than those with the fewest points. This also correlated with lower risk in heart, respiratory, and cancer disease.
Why does breastfeeding help so much? Theories range from lowering your menstruation (most women don’t during breastfeeding) to breastfeeding causing change in the breast (loss of breast tissue).
In the US, only 16% of women breastfeed for 6 months. Many supplement with formula or other foods.
For the full article, click here.
Take home message? Just another reason to breastfeed your babes. If the breastfeeding changes your breasts, I can help you with that. The benefit to your bonding with your baby, your baby’s health, and YOUR health- priceless.