Breastfeeding makes a baby strong and healthy by strengthening its immune system. This is a recognized fact. Now, according to new research, mothers also benefit from the act of breastfeeding.
Researchers from the University of Western Sydney found that breastfeeding was able to protect mothers against the risks of developing high blood pressure later. The study, published in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, found that risks of developing high blood pressure until age 64 declined with extended breastfeeding.
"Hopefully this research will add to the discussion between women and their physicians and midwives. Whenever possible, women should be encouraged to breastfeed as long as possible as the protective effect of breastfeeding increases with the length of time breastfeeding," Dr. Joanne Lind, a senior lecturer in molecular biology and genetics, said in a news release.
For the study, Dr. Lind and colleagues looked at more than 74,700 Australian women, part of the 45 and Up Study. Proving the power of breastfeeding on preventing high blood pressure, researchers found that women with a history of breastfeeding for three or six months were at a reduced risk of developing high blood pressure, compared to women without any children or who didn't breastfeed. The results remained the same even after the researchers analyzed other factors that reduce the risks of blood pressure, including history of smoking, alcohol consumption, family history, physical activity, BMI and family history. However, the effects of breastfeeding lasted only until age 64.
Though the researchers couldn't fully explain the actual reasons, they said that the hormones that the body release while breastfeeding may be playing an important role in this occurrence.
"Despite us not fully understanding the protective mechanism, breastfeeding history should now be considered when assessing a patient's likelihood of having high blood pressure in later life," she added.
Experts from the World Health Organization and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend new moms to exclusively breastfeed healthy babies until the sixth month, as formula milk is not as effective as breast milk in preventing many illness among babies. According to health experts from womenhealth.gov, the skin-to-skin contact needed during breastfeeding increases mother's oxytocin, a hormone that help the milk flow and calm the mother. It also reduces the risk of the mother having diseases like type 2 diabetes, breast cancer, ovarian cancer and postpartum depression. Apart from that, it also reduces the daily efforts of sterilizing bottles and nipples and saves money.
Adding another benefit to the list, a study published in American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology in 2008 found that women who breastfed for two or more years had a 37 percent lowered risk of developing coronary heart disease (CHD) later in life.
