Breastfeeding Reduces Cardiovascular

Disease
Mothers Who Breastfeed Lower Their Risk of Aortic
Calcification
Most parents are aware of the benefits of breastfeeding for babies; however, new research shows
that mothers who breastfeed reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease.

Breastfeeding has multiple benefits for new mothers. Breastfeeding provides a natural spacing in
family planning by delaying the onset of ovulation when the mother breastfeeds exclusively.
Breastfeeding also can help the mother to lose weight after pregnancy since it uses as much as
500 calories per day. If a mother breastfeeds, it can benefit her long-term health by reducing her
risk of cancer. Now there is even more reason for women to consider breastfeeding. Experts have
discovered that breastfeeding may reduce a mother's risk of getting certain types of
cardiovascular disease.

Breastfeeding Infants At Least Three Months May Reduce Risk

of Cardiovascular Disease

Research done at the University of Pittsburgh looked at just under 300 women in the 45-58 year
age bracket who did not have clinical cardiovascular disease. Those who reported that they
breastfeed all of their babies for a minimum of three months had significantly less cases of
various types of cardiovascular disease.

Breastfeeding Appears to Reduce Types of Vascular

Calcification

In this study, researchers used ultrasound, as well as other types of technology to measure both
coronary and aortic calcification in the participants in this study. Aortic calcification occurs
when calcium deposits form on the aortic valve in the heart. Eventually aortic calcification
causes reduced blood flow and ultimately can cause heart attacks if it is not monitored regularly.

Results from this study showed that women who breastfed each of their children for at least three
months as compared to those women who did not breastfeed at all, had much lower risks of
aortic calcification and coronary artery calcification.
Why Does Breastfeeding Lower the Mother's Risk of
Cardiovascular Disease?

While the research on breastfeeding and the cardiovascular benefits for mothers is clear, what is
not as clear is why this benefit exists.

Some experts believe the association between breastfeeding and cardiovascular benefits may lie
with the hormone oxytocin. Oxytocin is known to relax blood vessels and can help reduce the
build-up of plaque. Still others speculate that since breastfeeding also uses up the mother's fat
stores, it may also help her to lose pregnancy weight, thereby protecting her against
cardiovascular disease associated with weight gain.

Regardless of the reason, breastfeeding stands alone as one of the healthiest things a new mother
can do for the long-term health of both her baby and herself.

References:

Schwartz, E., "Lactation and Maternal Measures of Subclinical Cardiovascular Disease,"

Obstetrics and Gynecology, January, 2010.

Rabin, R., "Breast-Feeding Benefits Mothers, Study Finds," NY Times, April 2009