Multiple Sclerosis Relapses Lowered When Women Exclusively Breastfeed

Previous studies have shown that breastfeeding may be more nutritionally beneficial for the baby than formulas. And now, new findings published in JAMA Neurology also show that women with multiple sclerosis (MS) who intended to breastfeed their infants exclusively for two months had a lower risk of relapse during the first six months following giving birth when compared to those who did not.

While about 20 to 30 percent of women with MS experience a relapse within the first three months after giving birth, the effect of exclusive breastfeeding on postpartum risk of MS relapse has been rather controversial with conflicting study results.

In this recent study, researchers analyzed data from 201 pregnant women with MS that was collected from 2008 to June 2012 with one-year follow-up postpartum in the nationwide German MS and pregnancy registry. The study authors defined exclusive breastfeeding meals with supplemental feedings for at least two months compared with nonexclusive breastfeeding that was partial or no breastfeeding.

Findings revealed that of the 201 women, 120 breastfed exclusively for at least two months, 42 women combined breastfeeding with supplemental feedings within the first two months after giving birth and 39 women did not breastfeed. Most women also had used disease-modifying therapy (DMT) agents before pregnancy.

The authors report that 31 women (38.3 percent) who did not breastfeed exclusively had MS relapse within the first six months postpartum compared with 29 women (24.2 percent) who intended to breastfeed exclusively for at least two months.

Researchers believe that exclusive breastfeeding may fare better for women with MS as introduction to regular forumula feedings or solid food for an infant can lead to a change in a woman's hormonal status, resulting in the return of ovulation. Yet the study authors note that the main limitation to their study was the selection bias inherent to voluntary registries and reflected in the high proportion of women receiving DMT.

"Taken together, our findings indicate that women with MS should be supported if they choose to breastfeed exclusively since it clearly does not increase the risk of postpartum relapse. Relapse in the first six months postpartum may be diminished by exclusive breastfeeding, but once regular feedings are introduced, disease activity is likely to return," the study concluded.

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