Breastfeeding protects against asthma, allergy

Children who are not exclusively breastfed during the first 6 months of infancy have a higher risk of asthma and allergy. Researchers from the University of Western Australia examined the association between breastfeeding, asthma and atopy - a propensity to various allergies - in 2195 children followed from birth to 6 years. The team defined asthma as doctor-diagnosed asthma and wheeze in the last year, and they used skin prick tests to identify allergies among 1596 of the children. The researchers saw an association between less exclusive breastfeeding and increased asthma and atopy. With each month of breastfeeding, there was a 4 percent reduction in the risk of asthma. The researchers concluded that further research and additional studies are needed to confirm the above findings and to understand how breastfeeding is protective. In the meantime, interventions to promote exclusive breastfeeding for at least 6 months will help reduce the prevalence and subsequent morbidity of asthma and allergy in early childhood.