Breastfeeding is a Women's Health Issue

Nearly all promotion of breastfeeding emphasises the importance of human milk for babies. However, there are significant health reasons for women being supported to meet their breastfeeding goals.

Breastfeeding is a biologically normal state for female mammals. The childbearing years are mostly spent in lactation, interspersed by new pregnancies.

Breastfeeding has a protective role in reducing the risk of disease and illness, including:

Breastfeeding has an important role in the third stage of labour.

Breastfeeding after giving birth releases the hormone oxytocin, which stimulates the uterus to contract, reducing blood loss and risk of postpartum haemorrhage and returning the uterus to its pre-pregnant state. One study found women who did not have skin to skin and breastfeeding were almost twice as likely to have a PPH compared to women who had both skin to skin contact and breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding has been shown to reduce the risk of breast, ovarian and endometrial cancers.

Breastfeeding can delay the return of fertility and menstruation. This can also reduce the risk of pre-menopausal breast cancer and likely post-menopausal breast cancer as well. Studies have indicated that for every 12 months of breastfeeding, the risk of breast cancer decreases by 4.3 per cent.

Researchers from Curtin University in Australia found that extended breastfeeding significantly reduces the risk of ovarian cancer in women. The study found that women who breastfed for more than 13 months were 63 percent less likely to develop an ovarian tumor than women who breastfed for less than seven months. In addition, the longer women breastfed, the greater the reduced risk. Women who had three children and who breastfed for over 31 months were up to 91 percent less likely to suffer from ovarian cancer than women who breastfed for under 10 months.

Breastfeeding is associated with a decreased risk of endometrial cancer. The longer a woman breastfeeds, the lower her risk of endometrial cancer. The risk of endometrial cancer decreases by about 3% for every 3 months a woman breastfeeds.

The protective effect of breastfeeding is likely to be due to hormonal changes. When a woman is producing milk and breastfeeding, the level of the female hormone oestrogen in her body is lower. This slows the growth of endometrial cells and can reduce the risk of endometrial cancer.

Breastfeeding reduces the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes

Breastfeeding utilises fat stores laid down in pregnancy which can aid post-pregnancy weight loss. A recent Australian study found women who breastfed for at least six months experienced lower blood pressure and body-weight recovery (or BMI) for up to three years after the birth of their baby.

The authors of this meta-analysis were able to show women who breastfed at some point during their lives were 11% less likely to develop cardiovascular disease than those who had never breastfed. Over a 10-year average follow-up period, they were 14% less likely to develop heart disease, 12% less likely to have strokes and 17% less likely to die from cardiovascular disease.

Among women who had gestational diabetes, breastfeeding is associated with a lower rate of type 2 diabetes for up to 2 years after childbirth.

Women deserve skilled and informed support as they establish and maintain breastfeeding and encouragement to continue breastfeeding and meet their personal goals. Barriers to breastfeeding need to be addressed by the wider community.

Breastfeeding is not a lifestyle choice. It is a biological outcome of pregnancy and childbirth which supports the maternal body to maintain health throughout the childbearing years and beyond.