Why breast is best for mothers as well

Feeding naturally slashes risk of heart disease and strokes

BREASTFEEDING is good for mothers as well as babies and slashes their risk of dying from heart disease, a study has found.

Researchers looked at data from 1.2 million women and discovered those who breastfed children were less likely to have heart attacks or strokes.

The study is the first to demonstrate that breastfeeding has significant cardiovascular health benefits for mothers.

Experts said the ‘important and powerful’ findings show more should be done to make it easier for women to breastfeed in Britain, which has one of the lowest rates of breastfeeding in the world.

Previous research has demonstrated breast milk is best for children, helping to reduce risk of allergies, infections, obesity and chronic diseases.

The research, published by the American Heart Association, pooled data from eight studies involving over a million mothers across the globe.

Of these, 82 per cent breastfed their children and the average age of first birth was 25.

The study, which tracked women for ten years on average, found breastfeeding was linked to a 17 per cent lower chance of dying from heart disease in later life.

Those who breastfed were also 14, 12 and 11 per cent less likely to develop coronary artery disease, stroke or cardiovascular disease respectively. Experts said there were several possible reasons for the link. These include calories burned by breastfeeding meaning women are less likely to be obese or develop diabetes. Breastfeeding also releases the hormone oxytocin which relaxes blood vessels.

Author Professor Peter Willeit, from the Medical University of Innsbruck, said: ‘It’s important for women to be aware of the benefits of breastfeeding for their babies’ health and also their own personal health.’

Oxford University’s Dr Adam Lewandowski said of the findings: ‘Women should be offered more breastfeeding support to enhance their health and that of their child.’

‘Women should be offered support’