Posted by This painting is abstract, however I feel shows amazing benefits of breastfeeding in both mother and infant, and the hormones that relate in the process. This is to benefit and promote breastfeeding and the importance for both mother and infant.
Rachel Mehlhaff-Effects of Cortisol in Women and Infants while breastfeeding.
Breastfeeding is a mutually beneficial process for both the mother and her child. This natural mechanism has been known to decrease the chances of ovarian cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, and many other health conditions. Breastfeeding also releases a hormone called oxytocin which can help bond mother and infant together. This hormone can also help regulate a woman’s period and uterus size after giving birth. Through breastfeeding, a baby will accumulate vital antibodies from their mother which can reduce the risk of asthma, diabetes, ear infections, and sudden infant death (SIDs).
The main focus of this project is the cortisol levels during breastfeeding. Cortisol is a glucocorticoid that can travel in breast milk from the mother to her infant. Glucocorticoids can help with the growth and development of infants and also suggest that it has a hand in an infant’s way of acting. Cortisol has been found to decrease stress levels, energy, and immune system performance. Through one study, it was found that a mother’s cortisol level decreased significantly during breastfeeding. In that same study, it was found that during breastfeeding, an infant’s cortisol levels increased at the same time. The same result showed up after breastfeeding as well.
This project concludes that cortisol is part of breastfeeding through glucocorticoids. The glucocorticoid passes through the mother and is transported to her infant through breast milk during breastfeeding. The cortisol distribution between mother and child has been shown to reduce the risk of quite a few health conditions and overall behavior.