Breastfeeding offers a wealth of benefits for your baby – like a lower risk of infections and well-balanced nutrition for starters. But mothers benefit from breastfeeding as well. Breastfeeding decreases a mother's risk of heart attack, stroke and even dying of heart disease. 

Here OB-GYN Laura Cudzilo, MD, and cardiovascular specialist John Higgins, MD, partner up to share the latest on the benefits of breastfeeding. 

Breastfed babies are protected

Doctors recommend breastfeeding babies if possible. "Breastfed infants have been shown to have a lower risk of ear infections, Type I diabetes, asthma, SIDS, obesity and some GI infections," says Dr. Cudzilo. "For premature infants, breastfeeding can decrease the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis or NEC."

"Breastfed newborns are less likely to die of infectious diseases or develop respiratory illnesses by boosting their immune system," adds Dr. Higgins.

Research also shows breastfeeding protects babies against child malnutrition, like wasting and obesity.

What breastfeeding does to your body

Breastfeeding also offers protective benefits for the mother, too. "Breastfeeding helps reduce the risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer and Type 2 diabetes," says Dr. Cudzilo.

A frequently asked question is whether breastfeeding can help you lose weight. The answer? It depends. "While breastfeeding does burn 300 to 500 calories per day, many other factors also play into postpartum weight loss," explains Dr. Cudzilo. "Some women find they lose weight easily while breastfeeding, but this is not consistent across the board." Find out the best postpartum nutrition for breastfeeding mothers. 

"Breastfeeding is part of the body's natural process in returning the mother's body to its pre-pregnancy state," says Dr. Higgins. "Pregnancy is an intense change in the body's normal functions, especially for the heart as the heart is pumping both for the baby and mother during pregnancy."

By helping the body return to its pre-pregnancy metabolism, breastfeeding benefits the mother's heart. A recent meta-analysis combines data from over 1 million mothers and provides the best evidence yet that breastfeeding can improve the heart health of mothers. "Some studies have shown up to a 25% reduction in risk of heart attack and stroke in breastfeeding mothers," says Dr. Higgins.

Breastfeeding mothers show better cardiometabolic levels including:

• Lower blood sugar
• Lower blood pressure
• Less likelihood of developing diabetes
• Better cholesterol profiles including lower triglycerides and higher HDL or "good" cholesterol

"When these metabolic markers are too high, it promotes plaque buildup in arteries. Simply put, the less plaque, the less risk of dying of a heart attack," explains Dr. Higgins. "Breastfeeding mothers conserve their energy stores for milk production. This metabolic shift might explain these differences."

How long to breastfeed

The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommend exclusive breastfeeding for six months, with continued breastfeeding as solid foods are introduced during the first year of life (or longer if both the breastfeeding parent and the child want to continue). The World Health Organization extends this recommendation to two years or longer.

"Based on the meta-analysis, it's likely the longer a mother breastfeeds, the more heart-protective benefits are derived," says Dr. Higgins. "After 12 months of breastfeeding, the additional beneficial effects appear to level off."

Trouble breastfeeding? We can help

Our OB-GYN, family medicine and pediatric physicians, certified nurse midwives and nurse practitioners partner with breastfeeding specialists called lactation consultants to help patients meet their breastfeeding goals and troubleshoot any issues. 

"We are very fortunate here to have an amazing team of lactation consultants. They meet with patients before delivery to address any specific concerns about breastfeeding," says Dr. Cudzilo. "They also work with all breastfeeding patients in the hospital after delivery to get them off to a good start on their breastfeeding journey." 

Nebraska Medicine lactation consultants are also available for follow-up clinic appointments in the weeks and months following delivery to address any breastfeeding-related problems or questions.

Other ways to reduce your cardiovascular risk

"Although there are clear heart benefits to breastfeeding, that doesn't mean mothers who can't breastfeed are doomed to having a heart attack or stroke," says Dr. Higgins. "Living an overall healthy lifestyle is by far the most important way to improve anyone's heart health."

• Walk 10,000 steps every day, or at the very least avoid getting less than 5,000
• Get good aerobic exercise for at least half an hour five days a week
• Eat a well-balanced diet focused on whole grains, lean meats, and fruits and vegetables
• Avoid ultra-processed foods, added sugar, simple carbohydrates and whole fat dairy/tropical oils
• Develop a good relationship with your health care provider, and make sure your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugars are within healthy levels