Breastfeeding – still bestfeeding?
One of breastfeeding’s sacred cows is up for debate – a recent Canadian study recently suggested that breast milk doesn’t protect children against allergies, but a review of 18 other studies indicate that it does.
“Whether breastfeeding protects against the development of allergies and asthma has been frequently studied and hotly debated for more than 70 years,” said Dr Kramer, a professor at McGill University, who carried out the Canadian research. “We found not only that there was no protective effect, but the results even suggested an increased risk of positive allergic skin tests.”
The Canadian findings run counter to recent Chinese research suggesting that not breastfeeding beyond 3 months is, albeit weakly, linked to a higher risk of asthma. In the Chinese study, weight was a factor. Breast milk contains a hormone called leptin, which controls hunger and helps regulate food intake. Breastfed babies have higher levels of leptin than formula-fed babies, which may help prevent the weight gain that increases the risk of asthma.
Previous studies have indicated that breastfeeding does have a protective effect as far as allergies are concerned, and they form the basis of the new claims. “A review of 18 studies demonstrates a significant protective effect of exclusive breastfeeding for at least three months for children with high risk for atopy (genetic tendency to develop allergic diseases) against the development of atopic dermatitis and early childhood asthma-like symptoms,” said Dr Robert Wood, international health director for pediatric allergy and immunology at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.
Dr Wood recommends that moms who intend breastfeeding take precautions if their children might be at higher risk of developing allergies (for example, if there’s a family history), including:
- Avoiding peanuts and tree nuts during pregnancy and while nursing.
- Using hypoallergenic formula (extensively or partially hydrolyzed) if they intend supplementing.
- Delaying solids until their baby is 6 months old.
- Not introducing milk and egg until their child is 1, and steering clear of peanuts and tree nuts until 3 years of age.
Natural protection
The World Health Organization (WHO) and American Academy of Pediatrics recommend exclusively breastfeeding your baby until he’s 6 months old, and then combining solids and breast milk until at least 12 months of age (WHO recommends 2 years or older). The benefits continue as long as he receives it – and the advantages to his health are well-known. Breastfed babies suffer fewer ear infections, and lower rates of SIDS, and they’re five times less likely to end up in hospital with gastroenteritis than formula-fed babies. They’re also much less likely to end up in hospital with respiratory disease in their early years.
Updated November 14 2007