Date of Graduation

5-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Degree Level

Undergraduate

Department

Nursing

Advisor/Mentor

Scott, Allison

Committee Member

Vowell Johnson, Kelly

Abstract

The purpose of this systematic review was to investigate both the short- and long-term benefits that breastfeeding has on maternal physical and mental health. The PICOT question was: In postpartum mothers, how does breastfeeding compared to formula and mixed feeding affect maternal physical and mental health, including outcomes in cardiovascular health, BMI, bleeding risk, and mental health both short term and long term? For this research, EBSCOhost and the National Library of Medicine databases were searched to find relevant studies and systematic reviews. Terms such as “breastfeeding and maternal health benefits,” “breastfeeding and postpartum health,” and “breastfeeding and weight loss” were used to find appropriate studies. The review included 15 peer-reviewed articles, all published within the previous 5 years, that focus on the benefits of breastfeeding for the mother. The benefits of breastfeeding for the mother are clear and numerous, both short- and long-term. Pronounced long-term benefits include increased prevention of cardiovascular disease, decreased allostatic load, decreased incidence of breast and ovarian cancers, and decreased incidence of type two diabetes mellitus. Important short-term benefits include improved mental health and reduced rates of postpartum depression, better quality sleep, decreased BMI, improved recovery with less bleeding, and many more. Promoting awareness of the benefits of breastfeeding for mothers and expectant mothers would serve the interest of public health as a whole. Tiny Tusks Breastfeeding and Infant Support program addresses this need by providing mothers a safe and clean place to breastfeed at almost all Arkansas athletic events. The program provides education to mothers and the community on the benefits of breastfeeding. Additionally, their resources make breastfeeding at public athletic events more accessible and comfortable. Although research supporting these outcomes is available, additional studies related to the effects of public health interventions, such as programs like Tiny Tusks, may be needed. Since most recent studies have focused on the breastfeeding couplet (mother-baby), additional studies focused primarily on maternal outcomes could improve our understanding of the effects breastfeeding has on specifically the mother. More community education about these effects and benefits could serve to both increase breastfeeding rates and improve maternal health.

Keywords

breastfeeding; maternal health; postpartum health

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