It has been known for a long time that breastfeeding is beneficial to babies as it reduces their risk of illness and infection. For the past years, breastfeeding has also been thought to have a good effect for mothers themselves. The effect proves by a new study, wherein it revealed how it could help mothers to prevent a stroke later in their life.
The study, which was entitled "Breastfeeding History and Risk of Stroke Among Parous Postmenopausal Women in the Women’s Health Initiative," was published on August 22 in the Journal of the American Heart Association.
The research team collected data from more than 80,000 postmenopausal women who are a part of a national, observational study called the Women's Health Initiative. The participants were recruited from the year 1993 to 1998 – when their average age was 63.7 years. These women gave birth to one or more children have had their medical events and health habits tracked since recruitment.
The time they spent on breastfeeding their child varied widely with 58 percent reported ever having breastfed. Among these participants, 27 percent breastfed for 13 or more months, 51 percent breastfed for 1 to 6 months, and 22 percent breastfed for 7 to 12 months.
"Some studies have reported that breastfeeding may reduce the rates of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and risk of developing Type 2 diabetes in mothers," said lead author Lisette T. Jacobson, an assistant professor in the department of preventive medicine and public health at the University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita, Kansas.
Jacobson noted that their findings point out the breastfeeding benefits, particularly in preventing heart disease and other specific cardiovascular risk factors. The also research time examined the linked between breastfeeding and variations based on ethnicity. This particular factor is believed to be one of the first studies to do so.
The result revealed that stroke risk was 21 percent lower in white women, 32 percent lower in Hispanic women, 48 percent lower in black women, and 23 percent lower in all women. The causal relationship between the two was not confirmed. But, the figures emerged after the team adjusted for many other risk factors – including family history and age. Hence, the correlation is likely strong given the size and diversity of the participants.
"Breastfeeding is only one of many factors that could potentially protect against stroke. Others include getting adequate exercise, choosing healthy foods, not smoking and seeking treatment if needed to keep your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar in the normal range," Jacobson explained.
The American Academy of Pediatrics and the World Health Organization recommends mothers to breastfeed exclusively during the first six months of a baby's life.