Some mothers prefer to feed their infants breast milk from the very first days, while others prefer to wait until their child is a little older. Whatever your reasons for preferring to breastfeed, there are many advantages to this parenting style. One of the more recent studies on the subject found that mothers who breastfed their babies for 12 months experienced weight loss as a result of breastfeeding, compared to those who didn’t.
According to the study, which was published in the International Journal of Obesity, breastfeeding for 12 months or more led to an average weight loss of 8.7 kg (19.3 lbs) for mothers with a normal weight and 10.3 kg (22.3 lbs) for those who were overweight or obese before becoming pregnant.
Another advantage of breastfeeding is that it can help reduce a mother’s risk of dying from cancer. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 2.8 million mothers are diagnosed with cancer each year, and about 500,000 of these mothers die from the disease. However, breastfeeding can help reduce a mother’s risk of developing certain types of cancer, such as post-menopausal breast cancer and endometrial cancer. The WHO states that this may be because human milk contains antibodies that protect the infant against certain infectious agents, such as bacteria and viruses, which may cause cancer. Additionally, breastfeeding allows mothers to maintain a healthy weight during pregnancy, which reduces their newborn’s risk of becoming overweight or obese later in life.
How Does Breastfeeding Help Women Lose Weight?
Although it took some time for moms to figure out how to do it right, the majority now believe that breastfeeding is the way to go. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises that “formula feeding is discouraged during the first year of life due to potential health issues for the infant.” However, mothers who want to reduce their baby’s health risks should look to breastfeeding as a viable alternative. There are several different theories as to why breastfeeding may help women lose weight, but no one theory can take the credit.
More Energy
One of the primary reasons that breastfeeding may help women lose weight is that it provides their bodies with more energy. The health benefits of breastfeeding for both the mother and child are innumerable, and this is why so many mothers prefer to do it for as long as possible. Experts advise that when mothers are looking to shed some pounds, breastfeeding can provide the perfect calorie-dense diet for them. When babies breastfeed, they tend to eat more frequently, which can lead to weight gain. However, after a couple of months, the extra calories that the babies consume while breastfeeding are eventually replaced by the calories that the mother provides through the meal. So, in the long term, breastfeeding can help both mothers and their babies achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
Risk Of Obesity Later In Life
Just as with most things in life, there is more than one way for breastfeeding to help women lose weight. If you’re looking to have a healthy baby, you should consider breastfeeding as a way to reduce your child’s risk of becoming obese as an adult. Babies who are not breastfed as infants can grow up to be overweight or obese, which brings with it an increased risk of serious health problems in adulthood. For instance, studies suggest that children who are not breastfed are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes later in life. Additionally, breastfeeding for 12 months or more has been shown to reduce a mother’s risk of dying from cancer. While it’s still unclear exactly how breastfeeding protects the infant from developing cancer later in life, it’s thought that the antibodies that are produced in the mother’s breast milk may play a role in this. Regardless, the increased risk of obesity and certain types of cancer in later life are enough reasons for mothers to consider breastfeeding as a way to reduce their child’s health risks.
Healthy Teeth
Another way that breastfeeding can help women lose weight is by providing good oral hygiene for the mother and baby. One of the most important aspects of a mother’s care during her infant’s first year is brushing their teeth. Good oral hygiene is vital for both individuals, and it’s an area where mothers can easily neglect, which can lead to tooth decay. However, thanks to good oral hygiene and consistent dental visits as a baby grows up, these issues can be easily prevented.
According to the American Association of Advertising Agencies (4A’s), “63% of consumers say they’re likely to skip an unhealthy food if it’s offered in a different way (e.g., as part of a campaign to encourage people to eat healthier).” This is why, even if you’re trying to achieve a specific weight loss goal, you should still consider what methods of advertising may work best for you. Consider what draws you in, and find ways to leverage these instincts to help promote your brand.
As you can see, there are many different ways that breastfeeding can help women lose weight. No matter what your motivations are for wanting to breastfeed your baby, you should look to this form of parenting as a way to both provide your child with the best start in life and to lose weight yourself.