Breastfeeding Reduces Cancer Risk for Mom and Baby
A review of 98 studies on the relationship between lactation and breast cancer risk has found convincing evidence that breastfeeding reduces the risk of pre- and post-menopausal breast cancers. On top of that, since babies who are breastfed seem to be less likely to be overweight during their early years, and excess childhood weight typically carries over into adulthood, it could reduce the risk of certain cancers* in your child as well.
Based on these findings, cancer experts recommend that all women breastfeed exclusively for the first six months, without the addition of water or other foods. Beyond six months, mothers and babies should breastfeed for as long as it is comfortable and reasonable.
If that isn’t enough motivation to breastfeed, I don’t know what would be!
*colon, kidney, pancreas, endometrium (uterine lining), adenocarcinoma of the esophagus and post-menopausal breast cancer
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