Breastfeeding and Benefits For Mama

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By Melissa Portunato MPH, IBCLC, RLC

You’ve likely heard all the amazing benefits of breastfeeding for your baby and how it can give them the very best start at life. Less risk of allergies, asthma, ear infections, obesity, a strengthened immune system, and so much more. But did you know that the benefits of breastfeeding are not only for your nursling but for you too? Read on to learn more! 

Reduces Risk of Breast and Uterine Cancer 
Breastfeeding can help shed cells with potential DNA damage which can reduce the chances of pre and post menopausal breast cancer. Estrogen can promote cancer cell growth and since breastfeeding delays ovulation this means less lifetime exposure, significantly reducing the risk of ovarian cancer. Studies tell us the longer you breastfeed for, the more protection you will have against both breast and ovarian cancer so nurse on mamas! It’s good for you! 

Less Osteoporosis With Age
Osteoporosis is a disease that weakens the bones and can make fractures sudden and easier to happen. Women are four times more likely to suffer from osteoporosis. By age 50, 1 out of 2 women will break a bone due to the disease. It’s known that while a mother is breastfeeding her bone density will be reduced by up 10% because ovulation is delayed. But when menstruation once again returns, her bones will regain strength. A review of 911 articles relating to breastfeeding and osteoporosis calculated a 0.9% reduction of any fracture from osteoporosis for each month of breastfeeding. More specifically, there is a 1.2% decreased risk of hip fracture for every month of breastfeeding! Breastfeeding can help keep mamas bones healthy and strong! 

Less Chance Type 2  Diabetes
A 30-year study published in 2018 showed the effects breastfeeding can have on diabetes incidence in women of child-bearing age. The study concluded breastfeeding for 1 year can lower your risk of type 2 diabetes from as much as 47%. But how does that all work? Lactation results in lower circulating glucose levels, which in turn lowers insulin secretion. Prolactin (milk making hormone) has also been linked to preserving the function of pancreatic cells. In conclusion, the duration of breastfeeding shows an independent relationship to lower incidence of diabetes, even when other risk factors are considered. 

Less Hypertension Decreases Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is often referred to as the silent killer because it can be present with no known symptoms. Alison Stuebe, a lead researcher at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill has studied the correlation between high blood pressure and breastfeeding mothers and stated, “Women who never breastfed were more likely to develop hypertension than women who exclusively breastfed their first child for six months or more.” Stuebe and her team analyzed the correlation between breastfeeding and later risk of high blood pressure among  56,000 U.S. women that had at least one baby. Though, the study does not indicate breastfeeding has a direct correlation with healthier blood pressure, it did depict the odds for developing high blood pressure were 22 percent higher for women who did not breastfeed their first child, versus women who exclusively breastfed for six months. The best way to protect yourself is to know the risks associated with high blood pressure and routine monitoring with your medical practitioner. 

In general, experts recommend that mamas and babies breastfeed exclusively for the first six months to receive the optimal benefits, but the longer a mama can breastfeed for the better. Breastfeeding is a mutually exclusive relationship and there is no need to stop if mom and baby are happy and desire to continue. Breastfeeding provides overall health benefits for mom and baby that will last a lifetime. 

Sources:

Lancet 2002 Jul 20;360(9328):187-95. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(02)09454-0. Breast cancer and breastfeeding: collaborative reanalysis of individual data from 47 epidemiological studies in 30 countries, including 50302 women with breast cancer and 96973 women without the disease

Collaborative Group on Hormonal Factors in Breast Cancer, PMID: 12133652 , DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(02)09454-0

Gunderson, Erica P., et al. “Lactation Duration and Progression to Diabetes in Women Across the Childbearing Years.” JAMA Internal Medicine, 16 Jan. 2018, pp. 1–10., doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2017.7978.

Gunderson, Erica P., et al. “Lactation and Progression to Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus After Gestational Diabetes Mellitus.” Annals of Internal Medicine, vol. 163, no. 12, 15 Dec. 2015, pp. 889–898., doi:10.7326/m15-0807.

American Journal of Epidemiology, Volume 174, Issue 10, 15 November 2011, Pages 1147–1158, https://doi.org/10.1093/aje/kwr227 Published: 12 October 2011

https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/data/healthstyles_survey/

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4443-osteoporosis

https://lacted.org/blog/questions/breastfeeding-osteoporosis-fractures-females/

 

Paced Bottle Feeding

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Jacque Ordner BSN, RN, IBCLC, RLC 

Are you worried your precious little one will grow to prefer the bottle over your breasts?  Are you concerned you might not be able to keep up once baby begins taking bottles regularly while you’re away? Are you exclusively pumping and looking for tips on bottle feeding?  We’ve got you covered with our full guide on Paced Bottle Feeding.  

Research indicates that infants will take more from a bottle than they would when nursing.  This can result in overfeeding, mom losing confidence in her milk supply, and can even contribute to later obesity.  One large study compared formula fed infants (via bottle) and breastfed infants (via direct nursing) and found that the bottle-fed infants consumed 49% more milk at 1 month, 57% more at 3 months, and 71% more at 5 months. In comparison, we know that directly breastfed infants do not increase the volume of breastmilk intake from one to six months of age.  The average daily intake for a breastfed infant from one to six months remains about 25 ounces per day.  

 Why do bottle-fed infants tend to consume more?  

  • The flow from a bottle can often be initiated by gravity alone, triggering innate sucking reflexes present in babies under 4 months old.  In other words, baby will often continue to suck and swallow milk from a bottle long after they’ve reached “fullness”.  In contrast, the flow of milk from the breast requires a coordinated suckle and does not flow consistently.  An infant can pause, breathe, relax, and reassess before initiating additional flow from the breast.  This puts the baby in greater control of the feeding.  
  • Formula fed infants regularly consume more than their breastfed counterparts because more formula is required to meet their nutritional needs.  Formula also does not contain hormones such as leptin and adiponectin which regulate hunger and metabolism.  It’s especially important to keep this in mind if your baby receives breastmilk and formula or if you are tempted to compare your breastmilk fed baby’s intake with that of a formula fed infant.  

 What are the benefits of Paced Bottle Feeding? 

  • Paced Bottle Feeding allows infants to develop and practice their innate feeding cues and skills rather than only responding to the consistent flow of the bottle over which they have no control.  This is especially important for newborns (particularly pre-term newborns) who require supplementation early.  Allowing newborns to develop natural feeding cues and skills can be instrumental in helping them return to the breast or to transition from breast to bottle and back.   
  • Babies often develop a preference for the fast and continuous flow from the bottle. In the past, this might have been labeled as “nipple confusion”, but we now call it flow preference.  We now know that when baby prefers the bottle over the breast, it’s almost always due to the preference and ease associated with the faster flow of the bottle.  Babies are smart, and once they learn that they don’t have to wait for milk from the bottle they may start to refuse or become frustrated at the breast. Paced Bottle Feeding helps to mimic the slower and non-continuous flow of milk that occurs during nursing.  
  • Paced bottle feeding allows time for baby’s satiation signals to be recognized.  Most of us know the experience of scarfing down a big holiday meal in 10 minutes or less only to realize we’re painfully full.  Similarly, a baby can often take copious amounts from the bottle, due to its rapid and persistent flow, before the brain has had a chance to realize the belly is full.  This can lead to a gassy, fussy, spitty baby. Over time, baby’s tummy can come to expect those large feeds even if the volume isn’t necessary for baby’s complete nutrition.  Additionally, the same large study mentioned above found that caregivers often encourage baby to finish a bottle even when they’re displaying signs of satiety. Caregiver pressure to empty the bottle is another contributing factor to overfeeding. This can also lead mom to believe her supply is inadequate when baby is actually being overfed. 

 What are the principles of Paced Bottle Feeding? 

  • Feed on demand following baby’s hunger cues (rooting, sucking on fists, smacking lips, restlessness, etc.) Remember crying is a LATE sign of hunger.  
  • Choose a slow flow nipple.  Not all slow flow nipples are as slow as they claim.  Click HERE for to check the flow rate of many popular brands.  
  • Feed baby in a nearly upright position. 
  • Allow baby to “latch” onto the nipple rather than inserting it into his or her mouth. 
  • Hold the bottle parallel to the ground so that milk just enters the nipple. 
  • Provide frequent breaks by tipping the bottom of bottle down or completely removing the nipple from baby’s mouth. This is especially important if baby begins to gulp. Watch baby’s cues! 
  • Switch sides halfway through the feeding to mimic a nursing session. This also provides cross-connectivity in the brain. 
  •  Feedings should take 15-30 minutes.  
  • Don’t force baby to finish the bottle.  Allow baby to determine when he or she is full rather than encouraging them to finish a specific amount.  

*These techniques are appropriate for babies under 6 months of age.  

Click HERE for a video demonstration of Paced Bottle Feeding. 

Paced Bottle Feeding helps protect the nursing relationship, reduces the risk of overfeeding, and gives baby control of their feedings.  Have concerns about bottle feeding?  We can help!  Our Board Certified Lactation Consultants can develop a plan to help you introduce or manage bottle feeding.  Click HERE to schedule your free virtual consultation or email us at ibclc@spectrababyusa.com.  We’re here to support you! 

References 

 Arenz, S., Ruckerl, R., Koletzko, B., & von Kries, R. (2004). Breast-feeding and childhood obesity–a systematic review. International Journal of Obesity and Related Metabolic Disorders, 28(10), 1247-1256. 

 Dewey, K. G. (2009). Infant feeding and growth. In G. Goldberg, A. Prentice, P. A., S. Filteau & K. Simondon (Eds.), Breast-Feeding: Early influences on later health (pp. 57-66). New York, NY: Springer. 

Kramer, M. S., Guo, T., Platt, R. W., Vanilovich, I., Sevkovskaya, Z., Dzikovich, I., et al. (2004). Feeding effects on growth during infancy. Journal of Pediatrics, 145(5), 600-605. 

Kent, J. C., Mitoulas, L. R., Cregan, M. D., Ramsay, D. T., Doherty, D. A., & Hartmann, P. E. (2006). Volume and frequency of breastfeedings and fat content of breast milk throughout the day. Pediatrics, 117(3), e387-395. 

Li, R., Fein, S. B., & Grummer-Strawn, L. M. (2008). Association of breastfeeding intensity and bottle-emptying behaviors at early infancy with infants’ risk for excess weight at late infancy. Pediatrics, 122 Suppl 2, S77-84. 

Doneray, H., Orbak, Z., & Yildiz, L. (2009). The relationship between breast milk leptin and neonatal weight gain. Acta Paediatrica, 98(4), 643-647.