A new study has shown that longer breastfeeding has been shown to decrease the risk of asthma development in children. Asthma is a serious respiratory condition, and while it can be managed, it is serious, and it can even be life-threatening. Asthma can interfere with activities children want to take part in, and it can really limit their physical abilities.
Studies are always being done to look at asthma and how it develops, and how it can be treated. They are also looking hard at what can be done to prevent this condition from happening to children.
According to Medical Xpress, a study was done that has found that longer breastfeeding leads to a decrease in the risk of developing asthma in children. This study was done by the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, and it can be read in full here.
It is common for women who are pregnant, or who have just welcomed newborns, to be provided with information on the benefits of breastfeeding, but it looks like another benefit has to be added.
This study showed that a longer period of exclusive breastfeeding is associated with a lower odd of the child developing asthma. That it is directly related to the length of the breastfeeding journey. The longer the journey, the lower the odds are going to be.
This is vital information for new moms who may be about to make the decision on whether to breastfeed or formula feed. They found that mothers who breastfed for 2 to 4 months had a 64% likelihood of having asthma outcomes when compared to those who breastfed for less than 2 months. Further, they found that mothers who breastfed for 5 to 6 months had a 61% likelihood, and mothers who breastfeed for more than 6 months, had a 52% likelihood.
This can be part of the motivation a woman needs if she is struggling, but actively wants to continue breastfeeding her child for as long as possible.
The study involved more than 2,000 mothers and their infants. They also found that mothers who mixed breast milk and formula, or who had introduced food did not share the same odds. The baby had to be exclusively breastfeeding to receive the benefits that it has for asthma development.
Asthma is a genetic condition, and it can be passed on from parents, but exclusively breastfeeding can help lower that risk even if there are strong genetic markers.
Sources: Medical Xpress, ANNALS