Does breastfeeding make you age faster?

[Peridotty]

I heard someone say that breastfeeding makes you age faster because it takes a lot of energy. Is that true? I am still BF my 17 month old and don’t plan to stop until 2. But with the sleep deprivation and nursing i feel like my face has taken a beating. Others say I look young though and I was told last week I look 22. My sister just said I look older.

@Peridotty

Thanks guys. I also never heard of it before until today!! But from an energy point of view I thought it made sense?? To be honest though I feel the sleep deprivation is the worst thing for my skin.

We aren't given a finite amount of energy at birth. Energy is being constantly renewed by sleep and a good diet. Even a bad diet gives you energy, but is probably bad for you overall.

This person is talking rubbish and I wonder what their agenda is.

What does 'age faster' even mean?! I know it feels like it, but they're not actually draining your life force

No need to worry Ozan, the university and journals that publish my work don’t seem to be, so I wouldn’t let it bother you too much! That study has been largely discredited in terms of the health of mothers, but you obviously weren’t to know, so no worries!

@Bonnealle

No need to worry Ozan, the university and journals that publish my work don’t seem to be, so I wouldn’t let it bother you too much! That study has been largely discredited in terms of the health of mothers, but you obviously weren’t to know, so no worries!

Link to your work then. A lot of Mnetters pretend to be professionals in various fields to prove their points but until I see evidence I won’t believe you. Especially considering that study forms the basis of WHO’s breastfeeding advice not just to developing countries but developed ones too.

Ok, I’m obviously going to out myself by telling you which university I work for and the papers I have written. Not sure how it would help you anyway as they’re related to this issue, but not specifically this issue (if that makes sense). I didn’t know people did this on mumsnet (pretend they have a job in a field relating to their subject), but it doesn’t really apply to me as I don’t have a ‘point’ to make, just that it’s not it’s as clear cut as you make out, and pretending it is, is detrimental to all mothers. The WHO use lots of sources, so I’m not sure how you think this ‘proves’ anything? It certainly doesn’t say the health of mothers is better if they breastfeed. You may want to look at this, which goes into a lot more of the detail as to why you can’t take these things at face value (and yes, I did some of the research quoted). www.bpas.org/get-involved/campaigns/briefings/breastfeeding-and-formula-feeding/

[quote Bonnealle]Ok, I’m obviously going to out myself by telling you which university I work for and the papers I have written. Not sure how it would help you anyway as they’re related to this issue, but not specifically this issue (if that makes sense). I didn’t know people did this on mumsnet (pretend they have a job in a field relating to their subject), but it doesn’t really apply to me as I don’t have a ‘point’ to make, just that it’s not it’s as clear cut as you make out, and pretending it is, is detrimental to all mothers. The WHO use lots of sources, so I’m not sure how you think this ‘proves’ anything? It certainly doesn’t say the health of mothers is better if they breastfeed. You may want to look at this, which goes into a lot more of the detail as to why you can’t take these things at face value (and yes, I did some of the research quoted). www.bpas.org/get-involved/campaigns/briefings/breastfeeding-and-formula-feeding/[/quote]
Oooo you’re a lot of MNers worst nightmare 😉

Thanks for outing yourself to expose the myths though. The unquestioning deference we are supposed to show to breastfeeding on every level, is absurd and quite damaging to women in various ways.

I hope posters here actually listen to somebody who knows what they’re talking about for once, rather than ‘natural mummy’ Instagram accounts.

The sleeplessness I’ll swear aged me. He’s now 3 and I stopped breastfeeding at 18 months but he still doesn’t sleep so I am forever tired and grumpy and look about 90!!

Well of course it's not true. But - even if it was, would it matter?

@Anonymous48

Well of course it's not true. But - even if it was, would it matter?

Well yes because nobody wants to look older than they are

No. I think the opposite is true in terms of health.

@Wotsitsits

It's the sleep deprivation!!

My friend did 100% of night waking with her DC1, her DH did 0 and slept separately getting 8 full uninterrupted hours.. I watched her age before my eyes while he still looked exactly the same!!!

Thankfully for DC2 she kicked his arse into gear lmao

@TerribleCustomerCervix

There is a word for feeling suddenly awful when let down starts, can't remember it. It happened to me for a few weeks once and was horrible

Dysphoric milk ejection reflex. Dmer. I get that. Apparently it's caused by a sudden drop in dopamine on the release of prolactin (which triggers your let down)