Breastfeeding reduces heart attack risk for mothers

Mothers who breastfeed are less likely to suffer from a heart attack, heart disease, or a stroke in later life, according to new research published this week.

A study at University of Pittsburgh found that women who had breastfed for more than a year were 10% less likely to develop these conditions that women who had never breastfed.

Mothers who breastfed for at least a month were found to have reduced risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.

Dr Eleanor Bimla Schwarz, a member of the study’s research team, said: “Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women, so it is vitally important for us to know what we can do to protect ourselves.

“We’ve known for years that breastfeeding is important for babies’ health.

“Now we know that it is important for mothers’ health as well.

“The longer a mother nurses her baby, the better for both of them.”

Previous research has found that breast milk helps to protect babies against developing a host of conditions, including obesity, diabetes, eczema, asthma, stomach infections, ear infections, and chest infections.

Almost one in three mothers in the UK never attempt to breastfeed.