Breastfeeding Reduces Stress

Amongst the myriad positive effects of breastfeeding, we can now add another...stress reduction.

Researchers from Sweden and the United Kingdom studied approximately 9,000 children born in 1970. Information on the children's anxiety levels was collected from parents, teachers, and health-care providers at birth, ages 5 and 10; parents were asked about major life changes. The children whose parents had divorced or separated had expectedly high anxiety levels. However, the difference in stress levels between the children who were breast fed and who were bottle fed were remarkable. The children who were breast fed were much less anxiety-ridden than those who were bottle fed.

While this is fascinating information and yet another feather in the breastfeeding mom's cap, the answers as to why the stress levels between breast fed and bottle fed children differs is not known. Nicole Else-Quest, a professor of psychology at Villanova University, states that it is difficult to speculate "given that many factors influence the decisions to breastfeed in the first place."

So, my charge to you is the same as usual...Breastfeeding is the best beginning for your baby. Let's take this information and add a new "pro" to the list.