Mothers who breastfed their babies for at least 12 months showed decreased blood pressure and other health benefits.
It’s no secret that breastfeeding offers many benefits to babies, and a new study found that there are benefits to mothers, too.
We know the struggle can be real for first-time moms trying to navigate the world of breastfeeding. One new mama even took to Instagram to share her battle with breastfeeding.
But Korean researchers have found new reasons for women to keep at it — for at least one year. Their research suggested that breastfeeding for at least that long can lower a mother’s risk of developing problems like high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and high cholesterol, a group of risk factors that “raises risk of heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and other health problems,” according to the American Heart Association.
The study followed 4,724 women, ranging in age from 19 to 50, and broke them into four categories based on how long they breastfed: five months or less, between six and 11 months, between 12 and 23 months, and moms who breastfed for more than two years. The women who breastfed longest showed fewer metabolic problems than those who breastfed for a shorter time.
The Centers for Disease Control said that more than half of babies in the U.S. are breastfed until six months of age, while only 30.7 percent of babies are breastfed until their first birthday.
“The advantageous effects of breastfeeding for newborns and babies are well established, and this study, which suggests that breastfeeding may protect the mother against metabolic syndrome, further adds to the evidence base supporting the benefits of breastfeeding for maternal health,” Susan Kornstein, editor-in-chief of the Journal of Women’s Health, said in a release.
Breastfeeding can also reduce a woman’s risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer, type 2 diabetes and postpartum depression, according to the World Health Organization.
So, to all of you new moms, we hear you. Breastfeeding isn’t always easy — but it can be worth it. If you’re grappling with the process, talk to your doctor or locate a lactation specialist near you.
