Good News For Moms

Vegetarian Times, July, 1999 by Cristin Marandino

Few people can deny the physical and emotional benefits of breast-feeding. Breast milk reportedly increases a baby's immune function and I.Q. and decreases the incidence of sudden infant death syndrome, Crohn's disease, lymphoma, diarrhea and respiratory infections. It's also believed that breast-feeding strengthens the bond between mother and child. And now new research shows that mothers may benefit from nursing. A study out of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found that women who breast-feed have increased levels of the hormone oxytocin, which helps reduce something new mothers are flooded with--namely, stress.

"Oxytocin is best known for its role in the letdown of milk during breast-feeding, but it also has effects on the brain areas involved in emotion and stress response," explains lead researcher Kathleen Light, M.D. Of the 26 women in the study, 14 breast-fed and 12 bottle-fed their infants. Those breast-feeding consistently exhibited lower stress and blood pressure levels as monitored through physical testing and questionnaires.

Light also explains that the breast-feeders exhibited more positive moods and better interpersonal skills--two things that certainly come in handy during those 4 a.m. feedings.