A large review of 60 studies involving over 57,000 new mothers found that breastfeeding appears to support healthier habits after giving birth. Mothers who breastfed tended to sleep longer and better, eat more nutritious foods, and were less likely to smoke compared to mothers who didn’t breastfeed. The research looked at how different feeding methods affect heart-healthy behaviors like sleep, diet, physical activity, and smoking during the first two years after having a baby. While the connections between breastfeeding and exercise were unclear, the overall picture suggests that breastfeeding may naturally encourage healthier lifestyle choices during a challenging time for new parents.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How breastfeeding relates to healthy heart behaviors like sleep, diet, exercise, and smoking in new mothers during the first two years after birth
  • Who participated: Over 57,000 new mothers from 60 different studies conducted worldwide, comparing those who breastfed with those who used other feeding methods
  • Key finding: Mothers who breastfed generally slept better, ate more nutritious foods, and were less likely to smoke compared to mothers who didn’t breastfeed
  • What it means for you: If you’re planning to have a baby or recently gave birth, breastfeeding may naturally support healthier habits during recovery, though individual experiences vary

The Research Details

This was a scoping review, which means researchers gathered and analyzed findings from many existing studies rather than conducting a new experiment. They searched major medical databases to find all relevant research published on breastfeeding and heart-healthy behaviors in new mothers. The team followed strict scientific guidelines to ensure they didn’t miss important studies and analyzed the data fairly. They looked at studies from around the world with no restrictions on when they were published, what language they were in, or where they took place.

This approach is valuable because it gives us a ‘big picture’ view by combining evidence from many different groups of mothers. Instead of relying on just one study, researchers could see patterns across thousands of women from different backgrounds and locations. This makes the findings more reliable and applicable to a wider range of new mothers.

The researchers used established scientific methods for reviewing studies and followed international guidelines for reporting their findings. However, since this combines many different studies with different methods, the quality of individual studies within the review may vary. The large number of participants (over 57,000) strengthens confidence in the overall patterns they found.

What the Results Show

The review found that breastfeeding was consistently linked to better sleep and diet quality in new mothers. Women who breastfed typically slept longer and reported better sleep quality compared to those who used formula or other feeding methods. They also tended to eat more calories and have better overall diet quality, which makes sense since breastfeeding requires extra energy. Additionally, breastfeeding mothers were less likely to smoke or return to smoking if they had quit during pregnancy. Sleep was the most studied topic, appearing in 27 of the 60 studies, followed by diet in 19 studies, and smoking in 15 studies.

The relationship between breastfeeding and physical activity was much less clear, with mixed results across the few studies that looked at this connection. Some studies found breastfeeding mothers were more active, others found they were less active, and some found no difference. The researchers also noted that sleep efficiency - how well someone sleeps, not just how long - showed mixed results, even though overall sleep duration and quality were generally better in breastfeeding mothers.

This review builds on previous research showing that breastfeeding provides long-term protection against heart disease in mothers. However, this is one of the first comprehensive looks at how breastfeeding affects day-to-day healthy behaviors during the immediate postpartum period. The findings align with what many healthcare providers have observed - that breastfeeding seems to support overall maternal health beyond just the direct benefits to babies.

Since this review combined many different studies, the methods and quality varied significantly between individual studies. The researchers couldn’t control for all the factors that might influence both breastfeeding success and healthy behaviors, such as income, education, or family support. Also, most studies focused on sleep and diet, with much less research available on physical activity, making it harder to draw conclusions about exercise patterns.

The Bottom Line

If you’re able to breastfeed, this research suggests it may naturally support some healthy habits during recovery from childbirth. However, every mother’s situation is different, and the most important thing is feeding your baby in whatever way works best for your family. Focus on getting adequate sleep, eating nutritious foods, and avoiding smoking regardless of how you feed your baby.

This information is most relevant for pregnant women and new mothers making feeding decisions, as well as healthcare providers supporting postpartum families. However, mothers who cannot or choose not to breastfeed can still prioritize the same healthy behaviors through other means.

The benefits observed in this research appeared during the first two years after giving birth, which is the period the studies examined. The sleep and diet benefits likely begin soon after starting breastfeeding, while smoking behavior changes may take longer to establish.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily sleep hours, meal quality ratings, and physical activity minutes, noting feeding method to identify personal patterns
  • Set gentle, realistic goals for sleep duration and nutritious meals, adjusting expectations based on your feeding method and individual circumstances
  • Monitor trends in sleep quality, energy levels, and overall well-being over weeks rather than days, as postpartum recovery varies greatly between individuals

This information is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Feeding decisions should be made in consultation with your healthcare provider based on your individual circumstances and medical history.