How breastfeeding benefits mother
17 May 2013, 18:00 PM
UPDATED
18 May 2013, 00:00 AM
We often discuss about importance of breastfeeding for babies. We all know that breast milk is the best and ideal food for babies till six month of life and thereafter along with complementary food. On the contrary, we rarely discuss about the numerous benefits for mothers who breastfeed their child.
The benefits start immediately after giving birth. Breastfeeding at that time reduces a mother's risk of postpartum haemorrhage or heavy bleeding after delivery which is the major cause of maternal mortality.
Exclusive breastfeeding acts as a natural contraceptive method and reduces the need of artificial methods for at least 3 months.
Many studies have found that breastfeeding for a longer time helps in preventing breast cancer, uterine and ovarian cancer. The reduction in cancer risk comes in proportion to the cumulative lifetime duration of breastfeeding — the more months or years a mother breastfeeds, the lower her risk of breast cancer is. One of the reasons for the cancer-fighting effects of breastfeeding is that estrogen levels are lower during lactation. It is thought that the less estrogen available to stimulate the uterus and ovary and perhaps breast tissue also, the less the risk of these tissues becoming cancerous.
Breastfeeding burns extra calories. So it can help you losing pregnancy weight faster. It releases the hormone oxytocin, which helps your uterus return to its pre-pregnancy size and may reduce uterine bleeding after birth.
Breastfeeding is associated with suppression of the secretion of stress-responsive hormones in women that help relieve psychological stress and enhances immune function. Studies show that breastfeeding mothers show less postpartum anxiety and depression than do formula-feeding mothers.
Prolonged breastfeeding may help in reducing bone loss and subsequent fracture in later life after menopause.
Breastfeeding may take a little more effort than formula feeding at first. But it can make life easier once you and your baby settle into a good routine. Plus, when you breastfeed, there are no bottles and nipples to sterilise. You do not have to buy, measure and mix formula. And there are no bottles to warm in the middle of the night. You can satisfy your baby's hunger right away when breastfeeding.
Breastfeeding is not only beneficial for baby, but also equally important and useful for mothers. We all should encourage breastfeeding for the sake of healthy mother and healthy baby.
The writer is a Professor of Paediatrics at Community Based Medical College, Mymensingh.
E-mail: mmukkhan@gmail.com
We often discuss about importance of breastfeeding for babies. We all know that breast milk is the best and ideal food for babies till six month of life and thereafter along with complementary food. On the contrary, we rarely discuss about the numerous benefits for mothers who breastfeed their child.
The benefits start immediately after giving birth. Breastfeeding at that time reduces a mother's risk of postpartum haemorrhage or heavy bleeding after delivery which is the major cause of maternal mortality.
Exclusive breastfeeding acts as a natural contraceptive method and reduces the need of artificial methods for at least 3 months.
Many studies have found that breastfeeding for a longer time helps in preventing breast cancer, uterine and ovarian cancer. The reduction in cancer risk comes in proportion to the cumulative lifetime duration of breastfeeding — the more months or years a mother breastfeeds, the lower her risk of breast cancer is. One of the reasons for the cancer-fighting effects of breastfeeding is that estrogen levels are lower during lactation. It is thought that the less estrogen available to stimulate the uterus and ovary and perhaps breast tissue also, the less the risk of these tissues becoming cancerous.
Breastfeeding burns extra calories. So it can help you losing pregnancy weight faster. It releases the hormone oxytocin, which helps your uterus return to its pre-pregnancy size and may reduce uterine bleeding after birth.
Breastfeeding is associated with suppression of the secretion of stress-responsive hormones in women that help relieve psychological stress and enhances immune function. Studies show that breastfeeding mothers show less postpartum anxiety and depression than do formula-feeding mothers.
Prolonged breastfeeding may help in reducing bone loss and subsequent fracture in later life after menopause.
Breastfeeding may take a little more effort than formula feeding at first. But it can make life easier once you and your baby settle into a good routine. Plus, when you breastfeed, there are no bottles and nipples to sterilise. You do not have to buy, measure and mix formula. And there are no bottles to warm in the middle of the night. You can satisfy your baby's hunger right away when breastfeeding.
Breastfeeding is not only beneficial for baby, but also equally important and useful for mothers. We all should encourage breastfeeding for the sake of healthy mother and healthy baby.
The writer is a Professor of Paediatrics at Community Based Medical College, Mymensingh.
E-mail: mmukkhan@gmail.com
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