How Does Breastfeeding Affect The Risk Of Developing Asthma?

Dr. Bollinger answers the question: 'Does Breastfeeding Affect Asthma Risk?'

By
Mary Beth Bollinger, D.O., Pediatric Asthma and Allergy Specialist, University of Maryland Hospital for Children
August 11, 2008, 5:28 PM ET
1 min read

— -- Question:How does breastfeeding affect the risk of developing asthma?

Answer: This is still an area of continued research and some mixed results. Clearly breastfeeding provides significant benefit to babies with its superior nutritional value, the transfer of key antibodies to provide protection from infections and the significant benefit of bonding between mother and baby.

What is not clear is if breastfeeding impacts the development of asthma. There are studies that show that breastfeeding may decrease wheezing in early infancy and early childhood.

However, the effect has not been found to be sustained in later childhood. There are many ongoing studies, but the bottom line is regardless of whether breastfeeding impacts asthma, breast is always best.

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