I've been saving up a bunch of recent research for this post. Seems like a lot has come out lately!
Here are several recent studies about effects on children:
Breastfeeding associated with stronger cardiovascular health at age five. Strangely, breastfeeding for less than three months or more than six months showed no effect.
Breastfeeding appears to program infants' metabolism. Breastfed infants in this study had a distinct growth pattern and metabolic profile than formula fed infants. These differences faded by age three, though blood pressure remained lower in breastfed children.
Breastfeeding is associated with fewer behavioral problems at age five. They're less likely, according to this study, to lie, steal, be anxious, or hyperactive.
Breastfed children scored higher on math and reading assessments at ages 5, 7, 11, and 14. Interestingly, breastfeeding for as little as four weeks seemed to have an effect.
And here are several on mothers:
Mothers who breastfeed exclusively are at lower risk for multiple sclerosis relapse. I'm very pleased to see the research piling up on this issue, since many women are advised to wean early to resume medications which are viewed as incompatible with breastfeeding. This may mean that mothers with MS can breastfeed longer in the future.
Longer breastfeeding duration is associated with higher levels of ghrelin and pancreatic peptide YY at three years postpartum. This is protective against metabolic syndrome. This research adds to Dr. Alison's Steube's work drawing connections between breastfeeding and lowered risk of heart disease and metabolic syndrome.
Few babies in childcare receive pumped milk. The study pointed to lack of overnight storage of breastmilk as one factor. They did find a high rate of comfort with the idea among the providers surveyed.
Low levels of oxytocin in late pregnancy is linked to higher risk for postpartum depression. Oxytocin is a key hormone of lactation, so it's not a huge leap to suggest that this is one reason why breastfeeding lowers the risk of postpartum depression.
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