Breastfeeding
Research shows that breastfeeding provides many health benefits for you and your baby. But it also can be difficult to manage breastfeeding in today’s hurried world. Learning all you can before you give birth can help. The decision to breastfeed is a personal one. As a new mom, you deserve support no matter how you decide to feed your baby.
Health Benefits
Breastfeeding provides health benefits for mothers beyond emotional satisfaction.
- Mothers who breastfeed recover from childbirth more quickly and easily. The hormone oxytocin, released during breastfeeding, acts to return the uterus to its regular size more quickly and can reduce postpartum bleeding.
- Studies show that women who have breastfed experience reduced rates of breast and ovarian cancer later in life.
- Some studies have found that breastfeeding may reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and cardiovascular disease, including high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
- Exclusive breastfeeding delays the return of the mother’s menstrual period, which can help extend the time between pregnancies.