As more and more women delay childbearing until later in life, they are finding themselves breastfeeding after the age of 40. While many of the challenges they face are the same ones younger nursing mothers go through, there are some problems that older nursing moms are more likely to encounter. No matter what her age, a breastfeeding mother should surround herself with supportive family and friends while keeping her doctor, lactation consultant or local La Leche League leader's number close at hand in case she encounters any problems.
Positives
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, women over 30 are more likely to breastfeed their baby than other age groups. This could be because a breastfeeding mother over 40 tends to be more confident than younger breastfeeding moms, either because she has breastfed successfully before or has seen many of her friends and family successfully breastfeed. Older moms also usually know a lot about the benefits of breastfeeding and how it boosts the baby's immunity, helps prevent SIDS, increases IQ and provides all of the nutrients and immune factors a baby needs.
Potential Problems
Women who are breastfeeding at age 40 might have problems stemming from things that occurred during the pregnancy or birth. Older mothers are at higher risk of having a baby with problems stemming from birth defects, prematurity or pregnancy complications, according to the Mayo Clinic. Giving birth after 35 also raises the risk that the baby will be born by Cesarean section. All of these things increase the likelihood of breastfeeding difficulties, such as latching problems in the infant and a delay in the mother's milk coming in, but all of the problems caused by these issues can be solved with the help of a certified lactation consultant or a doctor or nurse with experience in breastfeeding issues.
Dealing With Multiple Children
One issue that breastfeeding mothers over 40 often encounter is that they have to deal with multiple children at once. For some, this means having two or more babies to nurse at the same time, since multiple births are more likely for older mothers because of the use of fertility drugs. Other women might have a nursing toddler as well as a new baby and need to balance the needs of both children. Some mothers over 40 have much older children who might make known their opinions of the nursing baby, whether positive or negative. In all cases, keeping an open mind and open communication between all family members is essential to getting the support you need to successfully breastfeed.
Anti-Cancer Benefits
While women who have their first child past the age of 25 are at higher risk for breast cancer later in life, breastfeeding might actually reduce this risk completely, according to research presented at the 2007 meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research and reported on in "New Scientist." Even better, every year that a mother breastfeeds reduces her breast cancer risk by more than 4 percent. So a breastfeeding woman over 40 can feel confident that she is not only giving her child the best possible food, but also improving her own health in the process.
References
- La Leche League International; (Not So Young) Mothers and Breastfeeding; Janice Batzdorff; July 2002
- "New Scientist"; Breastfeeding May Protect Older Mothers From Cancer; Roxanne Khamsi; April 2007
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Breastfeeding in the United States: Findings from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999-2006; April 2008
- MayoClinic.com; Pregnancy after 35; July 2009
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