Breastfeeding Reduces Risk Of Multiple Sclerosis Relapse

Results from a US study show that new mothers with multiple sclerosis can reduce their risk of having a relapse by breastfeeding.

Researchers are unsure why this is the case, but think it may have something to do with hormonal balances in the body.

Breastfeeding newborns has also been shown to benefit the new baby when they grow up, another plus for the act of nursing a child.

The researchers noted that mothers who breastfed for 2 months without feeding formula were twice as likely not to have a relapse within a year of giving birth.

The researchers note that throughout pregnancy and breastfeeding, mothers with MS are told by their doctors not to take MS drugs because they can be harmful to the baby.

Writing in the Archives of Neurology the researchers wrote: “It is well-known that women with MS have fewer relapses during pregnancy and a high risk of relapse in the postpartum period.”