Exercise During Pregnancy May Boost the Benefits of Breastfeeding

Even moderateexercise during pregnancymay increase a compound inbreast milkthat's been linked to lower health risks in babies, including diabetes, heart disease, and obesity.

Published inNature Metabolism,the study involved 150 pregnant and postpartum women who wore activity trackers during pregnancy and afterward. Those who had more steps per day showed higher level of a compound known as 3SL, or oligosaccharide 3-sialyllactose, found exclusively in breast milk. The compound has been shown to confer health advantages even later in life.

To confirm that the level of 3SL was from breast milk and not an inherited trait, researchers also gave baby mice born from sedentary mothers milk produced by mice that were active through pregnancy. The health benefits from the fit mice transferred to the babies, researchers noted.

Especially notable, exercise intensity didn't seem to play a role for either the humans or mice, says lead researcherKristin Stanford, PhD, at The Ohio State Wexner Medical Center. Even moderate-intensity activity like taking a brisk walk was enough to boost the 3SL level, she says. And it had that effect regardless of body composition of the participants, she adds.

Researchers didn't suggest a mechanism in terms of why exercise would have this effect, so Stanford noted that's a direction for future research, along with whether 3SL can be isolated as a compound to be added to infant formula or supplements in the future.

Benefits of Breastfeeding

The transfer of 3SL, as well asother beneficial compoundsthat can only be passed through breast milk, is one of the main reasons that public health agencies like the World Health Organization (WHO) havelong been promoting breastfeeding至少在冷杉st six months of a baby's life.

世卫组织强调,母乳是最理想的ood for infants, and contains antibodies that help protect against many common childhood illnesses, in addition to lowering health risks overall. Also, women who breastfeed have a reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancers, the WHO notes.

Additional Benefits of Exercise

Beyond the potential effects on 3SL, exercising during pregnancy can bring a range of other benefits, according to nurse and lactation consultantDeedee Franke, RN, of Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore.

She says exercise during pregnancy has been shown to:

• Reduce backaches
• Alleviate pregnancy-related constipation
• Reduce bloating and swelling
• Improve mood
• Promote good muscle tone
• Increase strength
• Improve sleep

Exercise can also make both pregnancy and postpartum time easier, addsSamantha Radford, PhD, who owns a parenting consulting service, Evidence-Based Mommy. Radford suggestsprenatal yogaas a way to increase flexibility and strength while emphasizing a mind-body connection.

"Gentle postpartum exercise, after clearance from an OB, can help a woman lose baby weight and improve postpartum anxiety and depression," she adds. Research published inBirthfound that physical activity during and after pregnancy—even a low-intensity type like walking with a stroller—was linked to a lower likelihood of depressive symptoms for new mothers.

Walking is usually considered thesafest prenatal exercise option, but some women may struggle with going longer distances in their third trimester, if swelling feet and abdominal pressure become an issue. Consider finding exercise classes and fitness choices specifically geared toward pregnancy, such as prenatal yoga, swimming or water aerobics, and low-impact options like Barre or modified Pilates.