They also discovered that the anxiety a mother experiences around breastfeeding can also influence the level of pain experienced, four months post-operation. More than half of the women studied reported having anxiety.
Conclusion(s): Preliminary results suggesting that breastfeeding for more than two months protects against the chronicity of postcesarean pain in a statistically significant way with a risk three-fold increase in CPCP if breastfeeding is maintained for only two months or less. Further, the anxiety during breastfeeding could influence the appearance of pain in the surgical zone at 4 months of the intervention.
The World Health Organisation recommends that babies are exclusively breastfed for at least the first six months for optimal growth and development of the baby. “Thereafter, to meet their evolving nutritional requirements, infants should receive nutritionally adequate and safe complementary foods while breastfeeding continues for up to two years of age or beyond. Exclusive breastfeeding from birth is possible except for a few medical conditions, and unrestricted exclusive breastfeeding results in ample milk production.”
While people are becoming more aware of the benefits to the baby of breastfeeding for as long as possible, it is fascinating to learn of the benefits to the mother as well. Mothers everywhere should be supported to breastfeed for as long as they can, for the best outcomes for both their babies and themselves.
Hannah Schenker is a freelance writer, editor and regular contributor to The Natural Parent Magazine. She lives with a touch of magic in Golden Bay, New Zealand.
