Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Benefits of Breastfeeding Your Baby

This is an article that i saw in the BBC Website and i think it will be helpful to share it here.

The longer a mother nurses her baby, the better for both of them
Dr Eleanor Bimla Schwarz
University of Pittsburgh

A US study found women who breastfed for more than a year were 10% less likely to develop the conditions than those who never breastfed.

Even breastfeeding for at least a month may cut the risk of diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

The research features in the journal Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

The study adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting breastfeeding has health benefits for both mother and baby.

Research has found that breastfeeding reduces a woman's risk of ovarian and breast cancer and osteoporosis in later life.

And the list of benefits for the baby is long, with breast milk credited with protecting against obesity, diabetes, asthma and infections of the ear, stomach and chest.

The latest US study, by the University of Pittsburgh, focused on nearly 140,000 post-menopausal women.

On average, it had been 35 years since the women had last breastfed - suggesting the beneficial impact lasts for decades.

As well as cutting the risk of heart problems, breastfeeding for more than a year cut the risk of high blood pressure by 12%, and diabetes and high cholesterol by around 20%.

Fat stores

It has been suggested that breastfeeding may reduce cardiovascular risk by reducing fat stores in the body.

However, the researchers believe the effect is more complex, with the release of hormones stimulated by breastfeeding also playing a role.

Researcher Dr Eleanor Bimla Schwarz said: "We have known for years that breastfeeding is important for babies' health; we now know that it is important for mothers' health as well.

"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 (including heart attacks and strokes).

"The longer a mother nurses her baby, the better for both of them."

In the UK, the Department of Health recommends exclusive breastfeeding for six months.

June Davison, a cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation, said: "Breastfeeding has long been thought to be beneficial to baby and mother.

"This research suggests that it might have also have heart health benefits for mum too.

"However, it only showed an association between breast feeding and these health benefits. We will need further research to understand why this is the case."

5 comments:

Mercola said...

Without any doubt, it is really a proven fact that breastfeeding is really best for babies. That's why I support this issue and agree with the idea provided on this article. Thank you also for sharing this post.

Blend` said...

Excellent post! ironically not many moms are aware of these staffs, hope your message will reach them.....

BIO said...

An elder once told me that it is really ridiculous for a newborn to depend on processed animal milk. That for a newborn to be breastfed is the natural thing to do since the baby came from the human mother and not from a cow.

Unknown said...

I totally agreed with you that breastfeeding is the best for a baby. I think mother feed the best feed for a 0 to 6 months babies. I also have 2 kids and till 6 months i give only mother feed and both are healthy.

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