|
|
|
| Free E-magazine |
| Subscribe to our Free E-Magazine on Pregnancy. |
| Learn More |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Home > Breast Feeding > How breast feeding affects you.
| |
| | How breast feeding affects you?
| |
| |
Breastfeeding can lower your stress levels and reduce postpartum bleeding
Because nursing triggers the release of the hormone oxytocin in your body, you`re more likely to feel relaxed while breastfeeding. Numerous studies in animals and humans have found that oxytocin promotes nurturing and relaxation. Oxytocin also helps your uterus contract back to size after birth, resulting in less postpartum bleeding.
Breastfeeding may reduce your risk of some types of cancer
Numerous studies have indicated that the duration of breastfeeding is directly proportional to the chances of breast and ovarian cancer. The more you feed the more are you protected. For breast cancer, nursing for at least a year appears to have the most protective effect. Though, the real cause has not been identified, but structural changes in breast tissue caused by breastfeeding and the fact that lactation suppresses the amount of estrogen your body produces may play roles. Researchers think the effect on ovarian cancer may be related to estrogen suppression as well.
Breastfeeding helps you lose weight
Nursing your baby can help you lose weight more quickly, especially during the first year. This is because your body burns calories while preparing breast milk.
Breastfeeding may protect against osteoporosis later in life
There`s contradictory evidence about the association between breastfeeding and bone density. One cannot deny that lactating women do lose some bone density when they start breastfeeding, probably due to a calcium deficiency or low estrogen, but those losses are covered up during or after weaning. Two studies show that breastfeeding may actually improve a woman`s bone density in the long run and considerably diminish the risk of hip fractures in old age.
| |
| |
|
