The study, published in the May 2009 issue of Obstetrics and Gynecology, is the first to show that there “really is a strong effect in terms of preventing heart attacks and stroke for women who nursed for more than six months,” says lead author Dr. Eleanor Bimla Schwarz, of the University of Pittsburgh. Close to 140 000 post-menopause mothers were involved in the study.

Here is a link towards the original study: Duration of Lactation and Risk Factors for Maternal Cardiovascular Disease, and here is a link to an article about the study written by Sharon Kirkey, of Canwest News Services, published on April 20th. 

As new mom who had to go back to work, Dr. Schwarz knew that pumping her milk was good for her baby, but was wondering what effects it had on her own health. Here it is, so keep on nursing ladies, it is not only good for your baby, it is good for you too in ways that you would not have suspected !

Photo © worse things happen at sea . A new study demonstrates that breastfeeding for 6 months and up may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease for moms later in life.

Tags: benefits of breastfeeding for moms, breastfeeding research, Breastmilk, Dr. Eleanor Schwarz, Duration of Lactation and Risk Factors for Maternal Cardiovascular Disease, pumping, Sharon Kirkey