Breastfeeding protects Mom

Jacksonville – The benefits to babies who are breastfed have been known for years. Less commonly known are the benefits to mothers who breastfeed. Studies suggest that women who breastfeed their babies have more than one long-term benefit.

Research tells us that a woman’s risk of breast and ovarian cancer is reduced as well as osteoporosis later in life.
Medical research also shows breastfeeding lowers the risk of heart problems, high blood pressure and cuts the risk of high cholesterol by as much as 20%.

Uterine contractions that occur during breastfeeding help to control postpartum bleeding, accelerating the mother’s body to return to it’s pre-pregnancy state quicker than mothers who don’t breastfeed.

Equally important to note is the fact that breastfeeding has a positive emotional impact for mothers. The reason for this is the breast produces the hormone, prolactin, released during the milk-making process. This hormone appears to be responsible for a calming effect, lowering the response to adrenaline.

Society as a whole is becoming more accepting to moms who breastfeed once again. In recent years, mothers who fed their babies in this beneficial manner were frowned upon. This doesn’t seem to be the case anymore, as provisions are being made in the work-place for the purpose of mothers who need to pump their breasts and comfortable lounges made available in public for breastfeeding, and recent studies informing us of the many benefits to mothers as well as infants.