Very few people are unaware of the benefits of breastfeeding for babies, but the many
benefits to the mother are often overlooked. One of the best-kept secrets about
breastfeeding is that it's as healthy for mothers as for babies.
Immediately after birth, the repeated suckling of the baby
releases oxytocin from the mother's pituitary gland. Unlike bottle-feeding
mothers, who typically get their periods back within six to eight weeks,
breastfeeding mothers can often stay amenorrheic for several months. The net
effect is a decreased risk of iron-deficiency anemia in the breastfeeding
mother as compared with her formula-feeding counterpart. The natural
child-spacing achieved through LAM ensures the optimal survival of each child,
and the physical recovery of the mother between pregnancies.
It
is now becoming clear that breastfeeding provides mothers with more than just
short-term benefits in the early period
after birth. A number of studies have shown other potential health advantages
that mothers can enjoy through breastfeeding. Clearly, breastfeeding mothers
have an edge on losing weight gained during pregnancy. Studies have confirmed
that nonbreastfeeding mothers lose less weight and don't keep it off as well as
breastfeeding mothers.
After
birth, mothers with a history of gestational diabetes who breastfeed have lower
blood sugars than nonbreastfeeding mothers. For these women who are already at
increased risk of developing diabetes, the optimal weight loss from
breastfeeding may translate into a decreased risk of diabetes in later life.
Because
women lose calcium while lactating, some health professionals have mistakenly
assumed an increased risk of osteoporosis for women who breastfeed. However,
current studies show that after weaning their children, breastfeeding mothers' bone density returns to
prepregnancy. Non-breastfeeding mothers have been shown in numerous studies to
have a higher risk of reproductive cancers. Although numerous studies have
looked at the relationship between breastfeeding and breast cancer, the results
have been conflicting. In two studies, there appeared to be an increase in
flare-ups of rheumatoid arthritis in breastfeeding mothers. There have been no
other studies showing any detrimental health effects to women from
breastfeeding. Bottom line: Breastfeeding reduces risk factors for three of the
most serious diseases for women-female cancers, heart disease, and
osteoporosis-without any significant health risks.
Public
health agencies advocate for breastfeeding because of its well-documented
health advantages to babies, but they fail to convey to individual mothers and
families the potential emotional impact of this very crucial infant-feeding
decision. There is much more to breastfeeding than the provision of optimal
nutrition and protection from disease through mother's milk. Breastfeeding
provides a unique interaction between mother and child, an automatic,
skin-to-skin closeness and nurturing that bottle-feeding mothers have to work
to replicate. The child's suckling at the breast produces a special hormonal
milieu for the mother. Prolactin, the milk-making hormone, appears to produce a
special calmness in mothers. Breastfeeding mothers have been shown to have a
less intense response to adrenaline.
No
wonder that few mothers get to fully experience the relaxing effects of breastfeeding. The role of breastfeeding in
postpartum emotional upheavals has not been well studied, but breastfeeding
mothers with depression need treatment just as much as any other mother. Such
women present a unique challenge to health care professionals.
What
Are The Benefits Of Breastfeeding A Toddler?
Mothers
breastfeed their toddlers for many of the same reasons they breastfeed their
infants: they recognize their children's needs, enjoy the closeness, want to
offer comfort, and understand the health benefits. Breastfeeding a toddler
helps with the child's ability to mature. A breastfeeding toddler is having his
dependency needs met. The closeness and availability of the mother through
breastfeeding is one of the best ways to help toddlers grow emotionally.
Breastfeeding
can help a toddler understand discipline as well. Breastfeeding helps a toddler feel good about himself, because his
needs are being met.
Just
as babies do, toddlers receive health benefits from breastfeeding. If your
toddler does get sick, nursing will help comfort him.
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