The Doctor is In: Breastfeeding benefits mom

Daniel Hagerman, MD Pediatrics Cedar Mills Medical Group

May 07, 2007

Most moms-to-be have heard the many ways breastfeeding will benefit their baby, but what about mom? Guess what — breastfeeding is incredibly good for you, too.

Here is my list of the top 10 benefits of breastfeeding to mothers:

  1. The #1 advantage is having a healthy baby (breastfeeding enhances a baby’s health by practically every measure). Additionally, you are helping your baby grow into a healthier child, teen and even adult, with less risk of allergies, asthma, diabetes and other illnesses.
  2. Breastfeeding improves bonding with your baby
  3. Breastfeeding makes you a better parent. Really! The hormones involved in breastfeeding stimulate nurturing, protective behavior towards your child.
  4. Oxytocin, which is secreted by the hypothalamus to stimulate the flow of breastmilk, triggers contraction of the uterus, and that results in less blood loss. You’ll keep more iron and have less risk of anemia.
  5. Prolonged nursing delays the return of your period, which decreases the risk of iron deficiency in new mothers.
  6. Breastfeeding helps you get back to your pre-pregnancy shape. Mom gives baby several hundred calories a day, the equivalent of an awful lot of exercise.
  7. Breastfeeding can be an effective form of birth control. For women who exclusively breastfeed, have not gotten a period yet and whose baby is less than six months old, breastfeeding is 98% effective as a means of contraception.1
  8. Breastfeeding lowers a woman’s risk of some types of breast cancer.
  9. Breastfeeding is convenient. No bottles. Breast milk is always fresh and always the right temperature.
  10. On top of all that, it’s free!

So why wouldn’t every woman choose to breastfeed? Unfortunately, there are a lot of myths and false information that may influence their decision. Some may believe that there is no point in getting started if they are going back to work. However, even a few weeks of breastfeeding is beneficial and many women decide to continue breastfeeding after they go back to work (pumping and storing their milk). The rule of thumb with breastfeeding is: Some is better than none and more is better than less.

For most women, choosing to breastfeed is a very rewarding experience for them and their baby.

1This finding was coordinated in separate studies by Family Health International (FHI), the World Health Organization (WHO) and Georgetown University's Institute for Reproductive Health (IRH). A panel of experts in December 1995 analyzed the results of the studies and issued a consensus statement. Kennedy KI, Labbok MH, VanLook PFA. Consensus statement: Lactational amenorrhea method for family planning. Int J Gynecol Obstet 1996:54(1):55-57.