Breastfeeding your little one is considered as a great decision. It is beneficial not only for your baby but for you as well. It is a personal matter that draws an opinion from your family and other relatives. The medical practitioner also recommends giving your baby pure breast milk (no water and formula) for six months. This is because of the benefits associated with breastfeeding. The decision of breastfeeding is always up to the mother. If you have a hard time making this decision, then this article about breastfeeding and breast cancer risk reduction might help you in selecting the right choice.
Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is said to be one of the great ways to provide the best nutrition for your baby. It is a perfect combination of vitamins, fat, and proteins that your baby needs for his growth and development. It is also said to have lots of antibodies that are essential in fighting against harmful bacteria and different viruses. In addition to this, it is also an effective way to avoid having any allergies and asthma. Babies who are successfully breastfed are said to have fewer risks of respiratory illnesses and other infections.
Breastfeeding and breast cancer risk reduction
Since there are lots of benefits associated with breastfeeding, it is essential to know if this can also help in the prevention of cancer. Here are breastfeeding and its relationship with the reduction of breast cancer: a review that you should know. The researchers have found out that breastfeeding can protect the mother against breast cancer. Aside from this, breastfeeding reduces the risk of ovarian cancer. This protection is said to happen during the first up to the second year of breastfeeding. Breastfeeding requires you to have patience and perseverance. To keep you motivated, you have to remember that every mother who chooses to breastfeed can receive the greatest gift. The best gift that you will receive is no other than good health for you and your baby.
How breastfeeding prevents cancer?
- Breastfeeding is said to be an excellent way to lower your chances of connecting with the hormones that promote the growth of cancer cells. Also, when you are performing breastfeeding sessions, there is a higher chance that your menstrual period may be delayed because you experience the hormonal changes in your body. This is essential because you have lower exposure to estrogen, which is often associated with the growth of cancer cells. This is one of the main reasons why breastfeeding and breast cancer risk reduction are always linked with each other.
- Breastfeeding is an excellent method of how to mature your cells. In addition to this, it is also considered as a way on how to shed your breast tissues. Breastfeeding can cause your cells to mature because it is essential to produce milk for your little one. Maturing your cells is a proven way to help your cells to resist the risks of becoming cancerous. When it comes to the shedding of your breast tissue, there is a higher chance that your damaged cells and tissues with cancer cells can be removed. Also, keep in mind that if your breasts are busy making milk, they have a lower chance of doing anything else aside from this.
- Another great thing why breastfeeding and breast cancer risk reduction are always associated with each other is because when you are performing breastfeeding, you tend to take care of yourself even better. You will become more intelligent and mindful of what you are eating and drinking. Aside from this, you are also more likely to avoid smoking, drinking, and other bad habits. Always remember that someone who is having different bad habits is someone who is at risk of breast cancer and other types of cancer. Since you are now mindful of what you are eating, you can now lose weight. These healthy lifestyles are essential in avoiding and reducing the risk of cancer.
The challenges in breastfeeding
How much does breastfeeding reduce the risk of breast cancer? Well, there is no exact percentage. But the good news is, breastfeeding can be a big help in reducing the risk of cancer. With that being said, it is essential that you can breastfeed because it can be beneficial not only for you, but for your baby as well. But what if you encounter different challenges that can prevent you from breastfeeding? Breastfeeding is not easy for everyone. There are lots of problems associated with this matter. Some of these issues are the following:
- Sore nipples. This is possible, especially in the first week of breastfeeding. Some mothers do not pursue breastfeeding due to this reason.
- Lower supply of milk. This is one of the main reasons why some women are not possible to breastfeed.
- Bleeding nipples and fungal infections in your nipples are also possible. This can some times bring you pain and irritation.
- Depression. Yes, depression is more likely to occur after giving birth which can also trigger you to avoid breastfeeding
- When you experience the feeling of tiredness or exhaustion, rest assured that you will also feel tired of breastfeeding, which may lead you to stop this activity entirely.
- The enlargement of your breast or engorgement can lead you to stop breastfeeding because of the painful feeling that you might experience
- Dealing with the judgment of other people is also said to be a factor that can affect your breastfeeding decision. Not everyone around you will agree in your choice of breastfeeding your little one.
ABC of breastfeeding for you and your baby
Does breastfeeding reduce the risk of asthma, or does breastfeeding prevent cancer in babies? Well, there is a higher chance that breastfeeding can help you regarding these situations because of the benefits associated with this activity. It is also advisable to know the ABC of breastfeeding for a more precise understanding of this matter.
- A for awareness. You need to be aware of the benefits that you and your little one can get when you pursue the breastfeeding process. It is an essential way on how to boost and encourage you to do the breastfeeding.
- For being patient. You need to persevere and be patient while doing this process. You need to feed your baby with your milk as long as your baby needs it. Also, you are not allowed to hurry your baby in feeding, which makes you wait for at least30 minutes to 1 hour during your baby’s feeding time.
- C stands for comfort. Your comfort is the primary key in doing this activity. You need to relax and be comfortable while doing this process to make your baby comfortable too.
Can breastfeeding harm the baby?
Aside from the fact that breastfeeding can help you to lower the risks of cancer, it is also vital that you should know the situations where breastfeeding would cause harm to your little one. Here are the following conditions that you should take note of:
- If you are suffering from HIV and you are breastfeeding, rest assured that you can pass the virus to your little one through your breast milk.
- If you are currently doing chemotherapy sessions. Breastfeeding and cancer treatment should not be doing at the same time because it can affect the baby.
- If you are suffering from tuberculosis
- When you are taking illegal drugs
- If you are taking some prescription medications
Breastfeeding is not an easy journey, as we think. There are lots of risks and challenges associated with this matter. But the best thing that you should keep in mind about breastfeeding are the benefits that are essential not only for your baby but for you as well. We hope that this topic about breastfeeding and breast cancer risk reduction can help you in your breastfeeding journey.
Read also:
- Breastfeeding Questions: Questions to Ask the Lactation Consultant
- Breastfeeding Facts: Should You be Worried About Bleeding Nipples?
- Motherhood: The Best Breastfeeding Diet to Lose Weight for Mommies
