Q: How does breastfeeding reduce the risk of osteoporosis?
A: Osteoporosis is prevented by the fact that mineral bone density has a rebound effect following weaning; that is, while calcium is used during lactation, when the mother ceases to lactate, the body actually increases former bone density, thus protecting against later bone loss.
Q: What effect does the milk-producing hormone, prolactin, have on the mother?
Prolactin is called the "mothering hormone" because it "physiologically produces in the mother an intensification of her 'motherliness,' the pleasurable care of her child. Psychologically, this intensification serves further to consolidate the symbiotic bond between herself and her child" (Montagu, 1971). In addition, prolactin has a relaxing effect, causing the breastfeeding woman to feel calm, even euphoric, during the feeding.
Q: How does breastfeeding increase the amount of energy available to new mothers?
A: Breastfeeding is actually less time-consuming than bottle-feeding, resulting in more time to rest and recuperate. Preparation of bottles, buying formula, cleaning bottles, heating bottles, getting up out of bed to prepare for a feeding, all take more energy for the mother. The amount of time spent feeding is roughly the same. In addition, a breastfeeding mom can easily pick up her baby by her side and nurse in bed, allowing both to doze on and off during the night. Thus, energy saved is energy not drained.
Q: Is there anything else you would like to add?
As I began to answer your questions regarding breastfeeding, it occurred to me that both moms and dads often ask me, "If this is so natural, why is it so hard?" They are often disappointed that babies do not always latch well, suck eagerly, or wake up on schedule, not to mention sore nipples and sleepless nights. I usually respond that breastfeeding is very natural, but not automatic; rather, it is a learned process that develops between mother and baby as they learn to know each other, and learn better ways of obtaining milk through some basic techniques and education. In years past, women passed on this knowledge to each other and new mothers were used to seeing babies at the breast of their friends and family. When formula became popular in the 1940's, the trend toward bottles increased and breastfeeding was no longer a familiar experience to be shared. As breastfeeding has increased at times, mothers do not have the advantage of previous generations' wisdom and knowledge. We are building that now. Therefore, organizations such as La Leche League International, people such as Lactation Consultants, and trained nurses are replacing the family as the nurturers of the mother and the teachers of breastfeeding today.
Finally, in the words of Anne Morrow Lindbergh, "In the sheltered simplicity of the first days after a baby is born, one sees again the magical closed circle, the miraculous sense of two people existing only for each other, the tranquil sky reflected on the face of the mother nursing her child." -- Gift from the Sea
More About Guide's World Breastfeeding Week Special
