Breastfeeding 'burns 500 calories a day'

Breastfeeding can burn up to 500 calories a day, according to a recent New York State Department of Health campaign.

As per the campaign and a recent study published in the American Journal of Medicine, this weight-loss boost can translate into other health benefits including a reduced risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

The New York DOH launched the 1.6 million dollars public health education campaign last week to educate new mothers on the health benefits of breast-feeding, reports the New York Daily News.

At least 75% of babies today are breast-fed for some period of time compared with 60% 15 years ago, according to the US News and World Report.

While the physicians behind the campaign say new mothers should continue to breast-feed for a year or longer, many choose not to nurse beyond six months, according to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention.