Extended lactation and loss of bone.
Bone density in the femur and lumbar spine were measured in nursing women at 2 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months after birth in a longitudinal study. Bone density was not compromised in nonnursing mothers or a group of mothers who breast-fed for up to 5 months. Bone density was significantly reduced in an extended lactation group (> or = 6 months). However, these findings should not be a deterrent to breast-feeding because the evidence suggests that once breast-feeding is stopped, recovery of bone density can occur.
D000328:Adult; D015519:Bone Density / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005269:Femur / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007774:Lactation / Q000378:metabolism*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D013131:Spine / Q000378:metabolism