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11 August 2005
"It
has been well-established that breast milk is the best source
of nutrition for infants — it is beneficial to their
physical and mental development," says senior author Claire-Dominique
Walker from Douglas Hospital Research Centre in Montreal, Canada.
"Our
work now shows that there is a reciprocal benefit of breastfeeding
to the mothers."
The study showed that 25 breastfeeding mothers
produced lower salivary cortisol levels in response to stress
than 25 bottle-feeding mothers. "This means they will focus
more on their children and have more energy for activities
such as attending to their infants and producing milk," suggests
Walker.
Moreover, the results indicated that experienced breastfeeding
mothers, those with more than one child, were able to filter
out relevant stressors, such as a video of a hurt or lost child,
from non-relevant challenges, such as public speaking, while
bottle-feeding mothers seemed less able to do so.
Noting that
postpartum stress is a risk factor for postpartum depression,
Walker suggests that the study may have implications for women
prone to the condition.
Source: Douglas
Hospital Research Centre
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Postnatal period and breastfeeding 