Nursing Leads to Stronger Lungs

by Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger

20 Nov 2008 04:36 PM

A new study shows yet another benefit to breastfeeding, and it is one that is very different. We all have heard about the positive effects on respiratory health (breastfed babies are less likely to be diagnosed with asthma, for example), but here is a study that suggested that there is also a physical component to nursing. The benefits also do not apply to babies who are fed pumped breastmilk or babies who are nursed for three months or less.

The study, done by researchers at the University of South Carolina in Columbia, reports on respiratory benefits that have nothing to do with the beneficial components of breastmilk. Instead, the study shows that the physical nursing of suckling actually provides a workout to the lungs.

The benefits of this workout include a larger lung capacity and the ability to expel air from the lungs more quickly.

There were 1,033 children from the Isle of Wright were studied from infancy through the age of ten. At ten years old, those children who breastfed four months or longer showed a marked increase in lunch capacity and function when compared to babies who were not breastfed or breastfed for less than four months.

Before milk begins to flow from a breast, the pressure exerted is triple of what is required when feeding from a bottle. In addition, breastfeeding may take longer to do compared to bottle feeding. This workout, the researchers believe, may "prepare these children for a lifetime of physical fitness," said researcher Dr. Ikechukwu U. Ogbuanu, as reported by Reuters.

This physical benefit of breastfeeding raises an interesting question. Do children who are extended breastfeeders (breastfeeding past the age of 9-12 months) show an exponential increase in lung capacity? Should mothers be encouraged to breastfeed directly rather than pumping milk and bottle feeding? What do you think?

Click here for more articles by Mary Ann Romans.

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Learn more about Mary Ann Romans

Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer, wife and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, the kids and a 16-pound cat.

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Heidi (5269) 21 Nov 2008 10:09 AM

I've been thinking about this since I read it last night (and am nursing my 2 month old!) and I wonder if this might be part of the reason breastfed babies have a lower incidence of SIDS.

Mary Ann Romans (26886) 21 Nov 2008 12:44 PM

Wow that is a good connection. I hadn't thought of that.