Does breast-feeding (breast feeding) reduce a mother's risk for colon cancer, hypertension (high blood pressure), or respiratory infections?

Breastfeeding and Maternal Health Benefits

Yes, breastfeeding significantly reduces a mother's risk for breast cancer, ovarian cancer, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease including hypertension, but does NOT reduce the mother's risk for respiratory infections—respiratory protection is a benefit for the infant, not the mother. 1, 2

Maternal Cancer Risk Reduction

Breastfeeding provides substantial protection against breast and ovarian cancers:

• Breast cancer risk is reduced by 19% (OR 0.81,95% CI 0.77-0.86) in mothers who breastfeed 2
• Ovarian cancer risk is reduced by 30% (OR 0.70,95% CI 0.64-0.75) 2
• These protective effects are dose-dependent, with longer breastfeeding durations conferring greater risk reduction 1

Cardiovascular Disease and Hypertension Risk Reduction

Breastfeeding significantly reduces maternal cardiovascular disease risk, including hypertension:

• Overall cardiovascular disease risk is reduced by 11% (HR 0.89,95% CI 0.83-0.95) in women who ever breastfed compared to those who never breastfed 3
• Coronary heart disease risk is reduced by 14% (HR 0.86,95% CI 0.78-0.95) 3
• Stroke risk is reduced by 12% (HR 0.88,95% CI 0.79-0.99) 3
• Fatal cardiovascular disease risk is reduced by 17% (HR 0.83,95% CI 0.76-0.92) 3
• The protective effect shows a progressive risk reduction with breastfeeding durations up to 12 months 3
• Breastfeeding is associated with decreased blood pressure and reduced risk of hypertension as part of overall cardiovascular protection 4, 5

Type 2 Diabetes Risk Reduction

Breastfeeding provides robust protection against type 2 diabetes:

• Type 2 diabetes risk is reduced by 32% (OR 0.68,95% CI 0.57-0.82) in mothers who breastfeed 1, 2
• This benefit is particularly pronounced in women with a history of gestational diabetes 1, 2
• The protective effect is enhanced with longer breastfeeding duration 1

Respiratory Infections: Clarifying the Misconception

Respiratory infection protection is an INFANT benefit, not a maternal benefit:

• Breastfeeding reduces respiratory infections in children under 2 years of age, not in mothers 1
• Infants who are breastfed have reduced risk of pneumonia and other respiratory illnesses 1
• There is no evidence that breastfeeding reduces the mother's risk of respiratory infections 1

Duration Recommendations for Optimal Maternal Health Benefits

The American Academy of Pediatrics provides clear guidance on breastfeeding duration:

• Exclusive breastfeeding for approximately 6 months is recommended 1
• Continued breastfeeding for 2 years or beyond (along with complementary foods after 6 months) provides maximal maternal health benefits 1
• Studies confirm that breastfeeding longer than 12 months significantly impacts maternal health by decreasing type 2 diabetes, hypertension, breast cancer, and ovarian cancer rates 1

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Do not confuse infant benefits with maternal benefits:

• Respiratory infection protection, reduced diarrheal disease, and reduced SIDS risk are infant outcomes, not maternal outcomes 1
• When counseling mothers about breastfeeding benefits, clearly distinguish between maternal health benefits (cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease) and infant health benefits (infections, obesity, cognitive development) 1, 4

Support mothers who breastfeed beyond the first year:

• Mothers who breastfeed past 1 year often report feeling ridiculed or alienated and may conceal their breastfeeding behavior 1
• Only half of mothers who breastfeed past 1 year discuss this with their pediatric provider, and 38% change providers if they perceive lack of support 1