Research continually highlights the importance and benefits of breastfeeding for children, with pregnant women keen to learn about studies affirming that the health advantages of breastfeeding for infants are numerous. A new study published in the journal Annals of Allergy, the scientific journal of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (ACAAI), found that exclusive breastfeeding duration is linked to a lower likelihood of developing asthma.
The lead author of the study, Dr. Kedria Wilson, an assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, stated, “There is a significant effect depending on how long a mother breastfeeds her child.” She added, “Children who were breastfed for 2-4 months had a 64% higher risk of developing asthma, as did those breastfed for less than two months. Children breastfed for 5-6 months had a 61% increased risk, while those who were breastfed for more than 6 months had a 52% chance of developing it.”
The study pooled results from three studies to achieve a larger participant base, involving 2,000 pairs of mothers and children, alongside demographic diversity, as 38% of participants were Black and 6% were of Latino descent. Allergy specialist Angela Hogan noted, “Asthma runs in families, and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), if one parent has asthma, the child is 3 to 6 times more likely to develop it compared to someone without a parent with asthma. Anything parents can do to reduce their child's chances of developing asthma is worth considering.”
Dr. Wilson added, “Our study reinforces current recommendations regarding the importance of breastfeeding, reflecting recent research showing lower asthma risks with increased breastfeeding compared to lesser amounts.”
