Breastfeeding may prevent asthma

Scientists have revealed that breastfeeding for up to six months after birth can reduce the chance of a child developing asthma.

A study by the Generation R Study, Erasmus Medical Center in The Netherlands, and published by European Respiratory Journal, revealed that feeding a baby only breast milk for up to six months after birth can limit asthma-related symptoms in early childhood.

They studied 5,000 children to investigate the effects of breastfeeding, with further questionnaires completed when the child reached one, two, three and four years of age.

It found that those who had never been breastfed were the most likely to have experienced wheezing, shortness of breath, dry cough and persistent phlegm during their first four years, compared to children who were breastfed for more than six months.

Those who were fed exclusively milk and no solids for their first four months were least likely to experience these symptoms.

"These results support current health policy strategies that promote exclusive breastfeeding for six months in industrialised countries. Further studies are needed to explore the protective effect of breastfeeding on the various types of asthma in later life," said Dr Agnes Sonnenschein-van der Voort, lead author from the Erasmus Medical Center.