By this time, everyone on the planet knows that breast milk is good for babies. But what's in it for Mom? As it turns out, plenty. The fact that breastfeeding is so good for mothers may be one of nature's best-kept secrets. Raging hormones are normal the first few weeks post-partum. During this time, many women experience the 'baby blues'. The blues can strike both nursing and bottle-feeding moms, but the nursing mom may have a powerful assist thanks to her high oxytocin levels. Oxytocin, a powerful hormone that is stimulated each time the baby breastfeeds, is a relaxing and tranquilizing substance that pulses through the mother's body during the milk release. Called 'the hormone of love' by researchers, it plays a role in bonding as a mother experiencing an oxytocin rush feels drowsy and deeply calm, promoting a peaceful state in which to fall in love with the baby. Breastfeeding mothers continue to have an altered hormone state for as long as nursing continues. This is at least partially the result of suppressed menstruation. Unrestricted nursing can produce delays in the return of fertility for extended periods of time. Six months to a year is not unusual, and some nursing moms enjoy even longer breaks. During this time, iron stores are replenished and mothers are spared the mood swings of normal cycling. For women who experience PMS, this truly provides a vacation from added stress! (Note: Globally, breastfeeding is the most widely employed method for child-spacing. But no contraceptive method is fool-proof. Women often employ a back-up system of barrier contraception just to be sure.) After feeling like the Goodyear Blimp for months, most pregnant women look forward to having their bodies back. It doesn't happen immediately though, and that dough-boy look we all have the first six weeks postpartum may be part of the reason many women feel a bit depressed. A 1999 Time Magazine article about breastfeeding provided the following goo...
