Does Breastfeeding Cause an Increase in Serum Cholesterol?
The older I get, the more I realize how little I know. That’s why I surround myself with smart friends! A mother of an exclusively breastfed 4-month old baby recently asked me if breastfeeding affects a mother’s cholesterol level. The mother had had a routine physical exam including a series of blood tests, one of which indicated that her cholesterol was slightly elevated. Her physician told her that there was no need to be concerned and suggested she simply modify her diet and have her cholesterol level rechecked periodically. Shortly thereafter this same mother was told by her girlfriend that breastfeeding can cause an increase in serum (blood) cholesterol, and cholesterol testing should be delayed until the mother stops breastfeeding. So what’s the scoop? Knowing that lots of physiologic changes take place while breastfeeding – can serum cholesterol be affected? I wasted no time in contacting my very smart and savvy friend at the University of California at Davis. She has a PhD in n
