Breastfeeding helps the uterus to shrink to its prepregnancy state and reduces the amount of blood lost after delivery. Mothers who breastfeed for at least three months may lose more weight than bottle-feeding mothers. Breastfeeding mothers usually resume their menstrual cycles 20 to 30 weeks later than bottle-feeding women. Breastfeeding can also keep women healthier throughout their lives. Breastfeeding can be an important factor in child spacing among women who do not use contraceptives.
Nursing reduces the risk of breast and ovarian cancer.
Women who breastfeed their infants are less likely to develop multiple sclerosis. Breastfeeding may reduce the risk of osteoporosis. And during lactation, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglyceride levels decline while the beneficial HDL cholesterol level remains high. Breastfeeding is economical. Breastfeeding also reduces health care costs.