The Unexpected Perk of Breastfeeding

The Unexpected Perk of Breastfeeding

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

New study says breastfeeding can help your joints, too.

We already know there are a million studies out there that tout the benefits of breastfeeding. But here's a stat we hadn't heard before: Women who breastfeed their babies are 50% less likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis later in life, according to a new study published in the British Medical Journal's Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.

When researchers compared 136 women with rheumatoid arthritis to 544 women without the disease, they found those who nursed for 13 months or more were half as likely to develop the joint condition, compared to women who didn't nurse. What's more, moms who breastfed for up to 12 months were 25% less likely to develop the disease.

When it comes to your joints, sounds like "breast is best" once again!

6 comments so far | Post a comment now >>

I breastfeed all four of my kids, my mother breast feed six of us and my grandmother breastfeed her eleven children. We have all had great bones and very little arthritis. THE NICEST PART ABOUT BREASTFEEDING IS THE BABIES VERY SELDOM HAVE COLIC AND MOST MOTHERS DO NOT HAVE TO GO THRU A “PERIOD” EVERY MONTH UNTIL THEY WEAN THE BABIES. Also, our babies always slept with us until they were weaned. Since our babies wore old fashioned diapers(cloth), when they woke during the night, all we had to do was change their diapers, put their already warm nipple in their mouth and go back to sleep. Breastfeed babies do not have to be burped like a bottle fed baby does. Plus, our kids have always been heathly and I would lose any weight I had gained within a month. THERE IS NO WORDS TO EXPLAIN HOW IT FEELS TO HAVE A NEW BABY SNUGGLE UP TO YOU LOOKING FOR FOOD. IT IS JUST A CLOSENESS THAT COMES NO OTHER WAY!!!!!

- Shelby24019

Posted 10/15/08 12:18 AM

It also lowers the risk for breast cancer. The more breast feeding years you accumulate, the lower your risk.

- Anonymous

Posted 11/30/08 10:30 PM

It also gives you orgasms and is known to prevent death!

- Anonymous

Posted 02/19/09 11:18 PM

its natural, enjoyable by moms and kids. the rest of the world who lives off formula by choice are just simply not dealing with a full deck. and obviously have hangups about the act of breastfeeding. so keep on wasting your money, nuts…i am sure the formula companies love your stupidity.

- deb

Posted 02/20/09 09:40 PM

@Shelby24019 YES I AGREE!!!! I SEE THAT YOU LOVE THE CAPS LOCK THE SAME WAY I DO !!!!!

- HooHa

Posted 04/21/09 10:48 PM

Is hot.

- Breastfeeding

Posted 10/16/09 06:49 PM