Originally published August 19 2005
Breast feeding is good for stress release, research shows
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
New research has shown that breast feeding can relieve stress in new mothers.
WOMEN who breast-feed may make better mothers, experts said yesterday.
They experience less stress than bottle-feeding mothers and that makes them better able to care for their babies, according a clinical trial conducted in Montreal.
"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," said Professor Claire-Dominique Walker, who led the study.
"Our work now shows that there is a reciprocal benefit of breast-feeding to the mothers: they react less to stressful situations."
The trial showed that 25 breast-feeding mothers produced smaller amounts of the stress hormone cortisol than 25 bottle-feeding mothers when under pressure.
Those who had breast-fed several children had even lower stress levels.
Prof Walker hopes the findings might help in the treatment of post-natal depression.
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