Breastfeeding could PROTECT mothers from strokes - study reveals

It is known that breastfeeding can be good for babies as it reduces their risk of infections and illnesses. But findings over the years have also found potential benefits for mothers themselves. Now, to add to the list, a new study revealed it could help mothers by reducing their risk of suffering a stroke later in life. 

While breastfeeding has many proven benefits for babies, fewer were associated with the mother's health.

This study, says stroke is the fourth leading cause of death among women aged 65 and older.

The positive benefits for mothers was found to be even greater in those who breastfed for longer than six months and for black women.

Lots of previous studies have found that breastfeeding may reduce rates of breast cancer, ovarian cancer and risk of developing Type 2 diabetes in mothers.

More recent studies have also found benefits of breastfeeding associated with heart disease and specific cardiovascular risk factors.

This study, carried out at University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita, is one of the first to look at stroke associations with breastfeeding mothers.

Researchers studied data on 80,191 participants as part of a larger ongoing national study called Women's Health Initiative which collected data between 1993 and 1998.

The study adjusted for non-modifiable stroke risk factors like age and family history. It found that stroke risk among women who breastfed on average was 23 percent lower in all women.

The study went on to find stroke risk in breastfeeding women was 48 percent lower in black women, 32 percent for Hispanic mothers, 21 percent for white females and 19 percent for those that breastfed for up to six months.

If you are pregnant, please consider breastfeeding as part of your birthing plan and continue to breastfeed for at least six months to receive the optimal benefits for you and your infant, Jacobson said.

 This study is published in the Journal of the American Heart Association.