By: Alexandra Kamakas
Editor’s Note: With so many proven benefits of breastfeeding for both mother and child, it is unacceptable that so many mothers still feel unsupported or lack the information they need to prioritize this practice. Alexandra Kamakas was a student on the FACTS elective when she summarized this update on the diverse benefits of breastfeeding. The review article by Luiz and Ieda Del Ciampo [1] emphasizes the importance of promoting early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding at least for the first six months of an infant’s life.
Introduction
While the advantages of breastfeeding for the health of both mother and child are widely known, the benefits for the child often get more attention. Breastfeeding is part of the natural continuum of conception, pregnancy, and birth, and offers key health benefits for the mother-baby dyad that extend far beyond the immediate postpartum phase. These benefits are not only physical, but mental and emotional as well.
“Breastfeeding is part of the natural continuum of conception, pregnancy, and birth, and offers key health benefits for the mother-baby dyad that extend far beyond the immediate postpartum phase.”
Short-term benefits of lactation for women’s health include lactational amenorrhea, reduced postpartum uterine bleeding, decreased rates of infection, reduced adiposity and weight, reduced stress, anxiety, and postpartum depression, and fewer body image issues. In the long term, breastfeeding reduces the risk of a number of cancers for the mother, including breast, ovarian, and endometrial cancer. Breastfeeding also reduces a woman’s risk of developing endometriosis, diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, and multiple sclerosis. [1] For some of these conditions, the duration of breastfeeding has been found to play a role in risk reduction. [1] Although all these benefits are important, only a handful of them will be discussed below.
“Breastfeeding reduces the risk of … breast, ovarian, and endometrial cancer, … (and) a woman’s risk of developing endometriosis, diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, and multiple sclerosis.”
The role of oxytocin
When a baby suckles at the mother’s breast, oxytocin is released. Oxytocin causes the uterus to contract, reducing the likelihood of excessive postpartum bleeding and accelerating its return to a normal size. Oxytocin also strengthens feelings of love between mother and child. [1] The healing benefits of breastfeeding allow the mother to feel better physically and emotionally so she may tend effectively to her child’s needs.
Prolactin and lactational amenorrhea
Lactational amenorrhea is an important maternal benefit of breastfeeding. When a woman breastfeeds exclusively at least eight times a day, both day and night, the high levels of prolactin suppress estrogen and progesterone. This leads to an interruption of the ovulatory mechanism, creating a temporary period of infertility. This method of contraception can be used until the child is up to six months of age or until exclusive breastfeeding ends. Lactational amenorrhea allows for adequate spacing between pregnancies and is a drug-free and device-free family planning method with a 96% effectiveness rate. [1]
Postpartum depression
Approximately 13% of women experience postpartum depression within twelve weeks after childbirth. Recent studies revealed that women who do not breastfeed are at higher risk for postpartum depression. [1] Women who breastfeed release prolactin and oxytocin, which are known to reduce anxiety. Breastfeeding also regulates cortisol release, further reducing stress, not to mention the stress-relieving benefits of intimacy and closeness with the infant.
Metabolic benefits of breastfeeding
The prevalence of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes has risen significantly in recent years. Breastfeeding helps combat insulin resistance through oxytocin release, which improves the body’s sensitivity to insulin. Compared to women who did not breastfeed, women who breastfeed have a 50% lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes. [1] Being metabolically healthy means a mother has more energy and can be more present to bond and meet her child’s needs.
Cardiovascular benefits of breastfeeding
In the postpartum period, the daily production of breast milk promotes weight loss and a faster metabolism for women. This has a positive impact on cardiovascular health. Women who breastfeed for 7-12 months have a 28% lower risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, a benefit that may continue after the baby is weaned. [1]
“Increasing the number of women who breastfeed will contribute to healthier mothers and babies, improving the health of the population worldwide.”
Conclusion
Lactation is a healthy practice for both mother and baby. Spreading information about the benefits of breastfeeding among mothers and future mothers is essential to promote and normalize this practice globally. There are many reasons why a mother may not choose to breastfeed or may be unable to breastfeed. A lack of breastfeeding support or education can lead to frustration and cause the mother to give up the practice. Women who have highly managed births could have trouble breastfeeding due to interruptions of the physiological continuum of pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding. Many women give in to marketing campaigns that promote formula feeding as superior to breastfeeding. Discussing with women from a young age the value of breastfeeding for immediate and future health is one way to normalize and promote this healthy practice. Increasing the number of women who breastfeed will contribute to healthier mothers and babies, improving the health of the population worldwide.
References
[1] Del Ciampo, LA, Del Ciampo, IRL. Breastfeeding and the Benefits of Lactation for Women’s Health, Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2018;40:354–359. DOI https://doi.org/ 10.1055/s-0038-1657766
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Alexandra Kamakas
Alexandra Kamakas is in the final stages toward earning a Master of acupuncture and a certificate in Chinese herbal medicine. She completed her undergraduate education at Saint Lawrence University in Canton, New York. Kamakas is also training to be a FEMM fertility educator and hopes to incorporate fertility awareness into her practice. She enrolled in the FACTS elective to broaden her knowledge of FABMs and gain a deeper understanding of the female cycle.
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