Literature review for - Flourish Paediatrics

Cultural differences on Exercise and Breastfeeding
In some Asian cultures it was the historical practice to confine mothers to their home or even to bed
for 28 days after birth. Exercise was strictly forbidden. This practice continues in some countries
and has even been commercialized. For example, in Korea, in the absence of an extended family (eg
grandmother not available to care for the new mother) there are now “nursing homes” available
where the new mother can be admitted with her infant for 28 days of total care.
Breastfeeding and Exercise Notes
1. Evenson (Evenson, Aytur et al. 2009)
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services dietary guidelines, which were released toward
the end of our data collection period, state that neither acute nor regular exercise adversely affects
the mother’s ability to successfully breastfeed. Most women agreed that it was acceptable to
participate in regular exercise or activity while breastfeeding. The benefits of breastfeeding are
widely recognized, and although it is encouraging that such a high percentage of women agreed that
is was acceptable to continue exercise, a notable 6% of women with less than a high school
education and 5% of non-Hispanic blacks indicated that physical activity and breastfeeding were not
compatible.
2. Physical Activity for Women During Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period (U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services 2008)
Physical activity during pregnancy benefits a woman’s overall health. For example, moderateintensity
physical activity by healthy women during pregnancy maintains or increases cardiorespiratory
fitness.
Strong scientific evidence shows that the risks of moderate-intensity activity done by healthy women
during pregnancy are very low, and do not increase risk of low birth weight, preterm delivery, or
early pregnancy loss. Some evidence suggests that physical activity reduces the risk of pregnancy
complications, such as preeclampsia and gestational diabetes, and reduces the length of labour, but
this evidence is not conclusive.
During a normal postpartum period, regular physical activity continues to benefit a woman’s overall
health. Studies show that moderate-intensity physical activity during the period following the birth
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