You know that statement: Decisions have consequences. Well, this is a great example of that fact.
I have advocated breast feeding in the past. Because, assuming the mom is healthy, it is absolutely the best method for a baby to obtain the proper nutrition. Not to mention the bonding that occurs when the baby nurses. (I also advocate pumping milk and letting dad provide to baby- and it gives mom a chance for some more much-needed sleep.)
But, now comes a study of some 740, 628 mothers in the UK (part of a much larger Million Women Survey, UK based, between 1996 and 2001, average age 57.5, range 50 to 64 y of age.) The women were asked how many children they bore, their breast feeding habits, as well as smoking and physical activity- all things that we know affected body weight.
Dr. Kirsty Bobrow, along with Drs. Quigley, Green, Reeves and Beral (University of Oxford, and all part of the Million Women Survey team) presented their results in the International Journal of Obesity. The data had indicated that women who birthed children had a slightly higher body mass index (BMI) later in life than women who never gave birth to a child. (88% of the respondents had at least 1 child (termed ‘parous’); 70% employed breast feeding for some length of time, with an average duration of 3.1 months/child or 7.7 months overall.) The data also indicated that for every six months of breast-feeding in which the mother engaged involved a 0.22 drop in their BMI (kg/m2), when the mom is in her fifties and sixties. (That’s a significant 1% drop in BMI per six months of breast-feeding. And, that 1% drop in BMI correlates with a 1% drop in mortality from all causes.)
We already knew that breast feeding incurs an energy cost for moms (which is why I advocate that dad feed baby at least once a day to let mom sleep a little more). The energy costs run up to 500 calories daily, so moms have to adjust their diets while they are breast feeding. (Don’t forget that breast feeding also regulates mom’s hormones, as well as aids in the avoidance of breast and ovarian cancers.) But, moms also have to lose their “baby weight” during the post-partum period (6 months to a year post birth event), or they will be carrying at least some extra weight later in their lifetime.
Note: Childless moms did have a lower BMI than did moms who breastfed for 10 months or more.
Great post Roy – I’ve also read that breastfeeding reduces the mother’s incidence of breast cancer later in life by as much as 50%.
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There are a whole host of reasons that breastfeeding- should one be able to do so- are great for kid, mom, and even dad (if mom pumps)… You can find more articles on my blog by checking for lactation or breastfeeding in the index. You can also go to http://www.readysetsleep.com for a host of other resources.
I nursed the first kid for 9 months and the second until she was 3 (she had milk allergy issues and still has skin allergy issues). I did temporarily lose the baby weight after kid number 2 (I was 35 when she was born). I guess the rest of it didn’t work for me. But I loved nursing my kids. It was the best of times and I refuse to remember anything bad about it. Great post, Roy. It gave me good things to remember.
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So glad I could bring back those fond memories of mom-baby bonding. That is one of the great psychic rewards of breastfeeding, as well. Thanks for your comments, Ann.
I think the main reason new mothers don’t breast feed their babies 6 months or longer is because they have to go back to work when the child is 6 weeks old. I know you can “pump”, but that gets to be quite a hassle when you are working 8+ hours a day and have very few breaks.
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That is a factor, Janette, even though most moms get 4 weeks pre and 8 weeks post partum. FWIW, my ex breast fed our kids for about 9 to 12 months- and yes, she pumped.
Now, companies must provide a secluded, private space to let moms pump- with breaks. That may help the issue as well.
Hi Roy,
I hadn’t read any statistics on the correlation between breastfeeding and weight later on in life, it’s interesting that it makes a difference long term. I haven’t found that breastfeeding helped me to lose much baby weight, or at least as much as I wanted. But I also have thyroid issues which probably plays into that as well.
Stacy
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These were long-term data, Stacy, since I doubt many of the women in their 50s and 60s are still nursing. Most probably stopped- at best- in their early 40’s… It’s only recent that baby-making age has edged up some.
Thanks for your comments!
A timely article for me to read as I head out to my daughter’s and visit my grandson; he’s five weeks old already! I’ve been reading a few articles on what diets are best for nursing mothers. As Janette mentioned it is difficult to continue nursing a baby for more than a few months, even when the rooms are available by companies.
I guess things are different over here (on the East Coast). We see lots of women who are able to pump without anxiety. My guess is that may be related to the Federal influence on all employers in the area, PeggyLee. Enjoy the time with your grandson!!!!!!! (I’m seeing mine, too…)
Roy: I wholeheartedly agree with the health benefits (mom & child) associated with breast feeding. I wasn’t aware of the long-term benefits associated with breast feeding (bmi levels). That’s really fascinating! One thing I’ve never understood is why some new mothers easily shed “baby weight” through breast feeding and others do not…assuming that excessive calorie intake is not the issue. Any thoughts?
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We can start with a very simple concept, Lynn…
For nine months (ok, certainly 7), diets are changed to accommodate two and “new predilections”. That’s a long habit to “undo” once the baby is born. Given those considerations, it is not surprising that some moms shed “baby weight” more easily than others.
Thanks for your query- and your addition to the discussion.
Roy
Call me skeptical Roy. I don’t doubt that you cited this accurately. What I have a problem with is that there are so many factors that can influence a person’s BMI. There are genetic factors, which apparently run in my family. Do they know the ancestry of these women, did they test for genetic predisposition, and tested for other factors? Did they have added stressors in their life that caused those hormones that cause weight gain? Just too many variables. The breast feeding could just be a coincidence to the other factors.
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Julia…
Yes, there are tons of factors that affect BMI. And, one can probably never isolate any of them. However, when there is a long-term study of thousands of folks, and this data is extracted from that group- who never joined the study with the knowledge that this would be a component, it is hard to evade the conclusion that the multitude of data provides. This CORRELATION will now be studied more carefully to determine if it is, indeed, related to CAUSATION.
Roy
I breastfed my first (and only) child for over a year. I was fortunate to be able to take three months off, and pumped when I returned to work, but at work (this was 22 years ago) I had to express milk in the bathroom. I rented a pump from the hospital where I gave birth and the nurse was horrified to hear this but said she heard these kinds of stories so many times. I had some interesting moments when I had to attend training sessions off site and find a place to express milk. You just can’t turn the milk off! It is so worth it, though. I lost weight quickly right after losing weight but I doubt it has made any difference for me long term – although, like Stacy, I have thyroid issues, too.
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Yes, I understand, Alana… I believe my ex-wife used some “interesting” places to pump, as well.
Thanks for providing your story. It helps round out the discussion. I appreciate it!!!
A timely post! My sister is expecting! 🙂 Yes, going to be an aunt again! This is going to be her first so she is reading all the mommy tips she can get her hands on!
My eldest sister both her kids for over ten months. But she returned to a healthy weight about six weeks after both her pregnancies. And still manages to maintain a healthy body weight. But then we keep telling her that she has always been thin! Does body structure prior to the pregnancy determine things later on?
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First, congratulations, Hajra…
Regaining normal body weight (or, is that returning to one’s pre-pregnancy weight) is a function of what we eat and how we exercise, as well as some genetic factors, as well as any effects provided by lactation. This study showed more of the long-term effects.
Breastfeeding definitely has many health benefits if the mom is physically and emotionally able to do it. It is interesting to look at breastfeeding trends over time. It is likely that breastfeeding would be enhanced by more time off of work and better support for breastfeeding in the workplace.
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Kristen:
Absolutely correct! And, it’s about time that the workplace (at least in America) is finally required to make time and space available to breastfeeding moms.
Roy
Hi Roy!
great post.breats feedind is not only healthy for the kid but it is help from breast cancer means chance of breeast cancer goes down almost 50%.but now a days women not give breast feeding to their child due to working or bodyshape.but it is wrong.i like your blog .
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Yes, Anshul, there is data that breast feeding has prophylactic benefits against breast cancer. Thanks for bringing that up!