BREASTFEEDING: EFFECT ON THE MOTHER

Course overview

Breastfeeding is the healthiest, safest, and most nutritious method for feeding infants, with numerous benefits for mothers, including reduced postpartum bleeding; faster postpartum weight loss and return of the uterus to its prepregnancy size; reduced risk for postpartum depression; a facilitation of mother-infant bonding; delayed postpartum fertility, which facilitates family planning; and a reduced risk for cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2), osteoporosis, breast cancer, and ovarian cancer. This continuing education module is designed to give the reader/learner an increased understanding of breastfeeding benefits and problems or complications experienced by the mother, including clinical presentation, symptoms, and treatment to aid in caring for the breastfeeding mother. Readers may explore any or all of the topics. One contact hour of continuing education credit is available for those who successfully complete the post-test and evaluation form.