> but was wondering whether there were long term
> effects in preventing / reducing urinary incontinance if you breastfeed
for
> a longer period, past the first weeks.

A new study identifies several factors that increase the risk of urinary
incontinence after pregnancy:

* Smoking
* Obesity
* Extended breastfeeding
* Vaginal delivery
* Use of forceps

From the abstract:

"...postpartum incontinence was significantly associated with seven
variables: ... length of breast-feeding (OR 1.169; P =.023), ..."

Burgio KL, Zyczynski H, Locher JL, Richter HE, Redden DT, Wright KC.
Urinary incontinence in the 12-month postpartum period.  Obstet Gynecol.
2003 Dec;102(6):1291-8.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=14662217&dopt=Abstract


From Reuters Know Now:

"Perhaps because of hormonal effects, the risk of incontinence increased as
the length of breastfeeding rose. "

Pelvic Exercises May Not Help Incontinence After a Birth
Mon December 8, 2003 05:38 PM ET  Reuters Know Now
http://reuters.us.ed10.net/h/403CG/18JUM/7V/UCFP


I have no comment on the study's validity; just passing it on.

Barb

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