August 9, 2002 – World Breastfeeding Week, which was celebrated in 120 countries during the first week of August, re-emphasized the benefits of breastfeeding for both infant and child. for the mother, thanks to this year’s slogan, “Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies”.
Among the latest publications to corroborate the beneficial effects of breastfeeding is a new analysis of data from 47 epidemiological studies from 30 different countries which appeared in The Lancet.1
The number of births and the duration of breastfeeding may play a role in reducing the risk of developing breast cancer. Thus, a 4.3% decrease in the relative risk of breast cancer was observed for each 12-month period of breastfeeding as well as a 7% decrease for each birth. A protein secreted during lactation, prolactin, could be at the origin of this phenomenon. It seems to have an accelerating effect on the differentiation process of mammary gland cells, reducing the risk of them proliferating into tumors.
Breastfeeding would also offer other health benefits for the mother such as reduced risk of ovarian cancer, a faster return to normal uterine size and healthy weight after childbirth, production of breast milk which burns excess calories.
Infants are not left out since they also benefit from breastfeeding. Breast milk provides them with all the necessary nutrients (calories, protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals) for their development during the first six months of life. It also contains proteins made by the mother’s immune system that help protect the baby from various diseases and disorders, including otitis media, pneumonia, gastroenteritis, vomiting and even sudden death syndrome. Exclusive breastfeeding would also prevent food allergies, asthma and diabetes.
Despite all these benefits, breastfeeding remains a practice that does not withstand the hectic currents of modern life for long. According to the Longitudinal Study on the Development of Children in Quebec 1998-2002 (ELDEQ)2, from 72% of newborns breastfed at birth, the percentage drops to 29% after 6 months and up to 10% after one year, for an average breastfeeding period of 3.9 months. The lack of time and the father’s participation in feeding are the main reasons given by mothers.
Élisabeth Mercader – PasseportSanté.net
According to InteliHealth, August 2, 2002.
1. Breast cancer and breastfeeding: collaborative reanalysis of individual data from 47 epidemiological studies in 30 countries, including 50302 women with breast cancer and 96973 women without the disease. Lancet 2002 Jul 20; 360 (9328): 187-95
2. Institut de la statistique Québec. Longitudinal study of the development of children in Quebec (ÉLDEQ 1998-2002). From birth to 29 months. http://www.stat.gouv.qc.ca/publications/sante/bebe_v2no5.htm