Very few people are unaware of the benefits of breastfeeding for babies, but the many benefits to the mother are often overlooked or even unknown. From the effect of oxytocin on the uterus to the warm emotional gains, breastfeeding gives a mother many reasons to be pleased with her choice.
Clearly, breastfeeding is good for
mothers both physically and emotionally. And yet, many mothers decide
to breastfeed based solely on the benefits to the baby. Breastfeeding
in the context of a bottle-feeding society tends to be perceived as
inconvenient and uncomfortable. If they stop early, they may feel
guilty about depriving the baby of some health benefits, but their
guilt is often soothed by well-meaning people who reassure them that
"The baby will do just as well on formula." Perhaps if they
knew that continuing to breastfeed is also good for their own health,
some mothers might be less likely to quit when they run into
problems. One of the best-kept secrets about breastfeeding is that
it's as healthy for mothers as for babies. Not only does lactation
continue the natural physiologic process begun with conception and
pregnancy, but it provides many short and long-term health benefits.
Physiologic effects of breastfeeding
In Western society, the decision about breast or bottle is still
seen very much as a personal choice based on convenience. The
potential stress of living with a child with recurrent illnesses, or
the loss of the unique bond that comes from breastfeeding, are often
omitted from the decision-making process.
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. 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 (Altemus 1995). This calming effect is hard
to measure in a society largely unsupportive of breastfeeding such as
the United States, where breastfeeding beyond the early weeks is not
the norm. Mothers who try to breastfeed in this climate often
experience physical and emotional problems. Even if a mother
overcomes physical problems, she may still encounter negative
comments, such as "Your milk may not be strong enough-why don't
you add formula?" Or her employer may make it impossible for her
to continue breastfeeding on returning to work. Or she may be
harassed for breastfeeding in public. No wonder that few mothers get
to fully experience the relaxing effects of breastfeeding.
New motherhood is a time fraught with emotion. The baby blues are
common, often exacerbated by lack of support and a sense of
isolation. Such women present a unique challenge to health care
professionals. Since medications may pass into breast milk, many
physicians believe the safest solution is to wean the child. However,
in most cases of depression, women do better if they continue to
breastfeed. Unfortunately, too often physicians insist that mothers
wean their child in order to take antidepressant medicines.
Long-term benefits of breastfeeding
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. These include optimal
metabolic profiles, reduced risk of various cancers, and
psychological benefits.
Production of milk is an active metabolic process, requiring the
use of 200 to 500 calories per day, on average. To use up this many
calories, a bottle feeding mother would have to swim at least 30
laps in a pool or bicycle uphill for an hour daily. Clearly,
breastfeeding mothers have an edge on losing weight gained during
pregnancy. Studies have confirmed that non breastfeeding mothers lose
less weight and don't keep it off as well as breastfeeding mothers
(Brewer 1989).
The optimal weight loss, improved blood sugar control, and good
cholesterol profile provided by breastfeeding may ultimately pay off
with a lower risk of heart problems. This is especially important
since heart attacks are the leading cause of death in women.
Another important element used in producing milk is calcium.
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 pre
pregnancy or even higher levels (Sowers 1995). In the longterm,
lactation may actually result in stronger bones and reduced risk of
osteoporosis. In fact, recent studies have confirmed that women who
did not breastfeed have a higher risk of hip fractures after
menopause (Cummings 1993).
Non-breastfeeding mothers have been shown in numerous studies to
have a higher risk of reproductive cancers. Ovarian and uterine
cancers have been found to be more common in women who did not
breastfeed. This may be due to the repeated ovulatory cycles and
exposure to higher levels of estrogen from not 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. Many mothers are
not being told how good breastfeeding is for their health. Whether
out of ignorance or due to the influence of the artificial baby milk
industry, many health care providers fail to inform mothers of the
facts. It's time for this well-kept secret to come out.
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English Governess | UK Governess | British Governess | Child Care
From United Kingdom 203 402 4400 | From Abroad +44203 402 4400
From United Kingdom 203 402 4400 | From Abroad +44203 402 4400
2 comments :
I absolutely have to agree!
Sonia Palecek
http://www.soniapalecek.com/
Very helpul information
Thanks
NAda
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