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Health benefits of breast feeding your babyIt has been found that breast feeding your child, may help to later protect them from childhood leukemia. The studies that have been preformed have shown that it can lower a child’s risk of developing both acute lymphoblastic and acute myeloid leukemia. While scientists don’t know exactly how breast feeding your child reduces this risk of childhood cancers, however they speculate that antibodies contained in breast milk may help to give a child’s immune system a boost. However research into this question is continuously ongoing.
Breast feeding is also speculated to protect an infant from developing type one diabetes. It has shown that partaking in breast feeding for more than the minimum of six months; appears to reduce the child’s risk of developing insulin dependent (aka type one) diabetes. While in one study it was found that children who were breast fed for less than three months, and then later exposed to cows milk prior to four months, had about one point five times the risk of developing this disease. However it is not yet clear how breast milk protects against the disease, but it is speculated that the immune factors present in breast milk play a major role. It is also known that participating in breast feeding a premature infant, may help protect them from infections as well as high blood pressure later in life. Breast milk would seem to offer that extra special boost of protection, that premature babies need. One study had found that very low birth weight infants nourished by breast milk, had fewer and less serious blood infections , as well as meningitis than their formula fed peers. While another had found that premature infants that were given breast milk were less likely to exhibit high blood pressure by the time they were in their teenage years. SIDS (Sudden infant death syndrome) is something all parents fear, however it has been shown that breast feeding may lower your child’s risk. However there is no conclusive evidence that breast feeding does in fact reduce the risk of SIDS. This has been such since some studies have found a link of lowered rates of SIDS, while others have not. However what can be clear in all of our minds is that breast feeding can help prevent respiratory and gastrointestinal infections, that may be related to SIDS. Not only is breast feeding great for your child, but it can be wonderful for you as well. Breast feeding your child has been proven to help mothers shed those pounds more quickly, especially during the first year. This is due to the fact that your body burns calories while it produces breast milk. It has also been known to help lower stress levels, and reduce post partum bleeding in new mothers. This is because nursing triggers the natural release of a hormone oxytocin within your body, which means you will be more likely to feel relaxed during the breast feeding process. With numerous studies in animals as well as humans, researchers have found that oxytocin helps to promote nurturing as well as relaxation. One study had found that a woman who had high amounts of oxytocin in her system (fifty percent of breast feeding mothers compared to eight percent of bottle feeding mothers) had shown a lower blood pressure after being asked to speak about a stressful personal problem. It is this hormone (Oxytocin) which also helps your uterus contract back to the size it is normally after birth, which will result in less postpartum bleeding. It has also been shown that Breast feeding may reduce your risk of some cancers as well as osteoporosis. So as you can see there are many benefits, that not only help your child; but yourself as well. Related information topics:Your growing baby: Taking the next steps |
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