Breastfeeding & Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis has been called an "old woman's disease" because it afflicts some many women in their 60s and 70s. But osteoporosis is actually a pediatric condition with a geriatric outcome because bone density is primarily built during the adolescent years. According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, pregnancy and breastfeeding have an effect on osteoporosis.

Identification

Osteoporosis is a disease of the bones that cause loss of bone density which may result in painful bone breaks. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services it is most common in women who have a small frame and a family history of osteoporosis. Women of Caucasian and Asian decent are more likely to develop osteoporosis than those of Hispanic or African decent, but women of all ethnic backgrounds are at risk.

Effects

Although osteoporosis typically presents in older women, it can be diagnosed at any stage of life, including during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. Osteoporosis in the spine may result in sloping of the shoulders, a curvature of the back, loss of height, a protruding abdomen, back pain and a hunched over appearance. Easily broken bones are a common effect of osteoporosis, particularly in the wrists and hips.

Features

According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases pregnancy adds an additional demand on the mother's calcium supply because developing babies need a significant supply of calcium in order to properly develop their skeletal system. Breastfeeding mothers may lose between three and five percent of their bone mass during breastfeeding. The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases notes that most breastfeeding women recover any lost bone mass soon after weaning.

Considerations

According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, teenagers who become pregnant may be at a higher risk for osteoporosis later in life. In order to minimize bone loss during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and to reduce the risk of developing osteoporosis later in life, the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases recommends pregnant teenagers get sufficient calcium, either through diet or supplements.

Benefits

The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases recommends women who are pregnant or breastfeeding eat a healthy, balanced diet that includes foods that are rich in calcium. Regular weight-bearing exercise, eliminating smoking from the mother's environment and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help to build and maintain bone mass. The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases also notes that pregnancy may be good for a woman's overall bone health and may actually result in greater bone density and a lower risk of fractures. According to AskDrSears.com, women who have never breastfed are four times more likely to develop osteoporosis than breastfeeding women.