At the risk of becoming all breastfeeding all the time, I wanted to make one more post about the subject. While there are some who dispute whether studies actually prove the benefits of breastfeeding, rather than just highlight economic and social differences, here are some more for you to think about. This study says that mother’s milk can prevent babies from developing skin allergies.
Natural chemicals, called prebiotics, found in human breast milk may cut babies’ chances of developing skin allergies. ... he babies in Moro’s study were all healthy. But they were at high risk of developing skin allergies, since they had at least one parent diagnosed with allergies, eczema, or asthma. ... Prebiotics are thought to promote the growth of good bacteria in the intestines.
Another study says that exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months can prevent many food-related allergies.
Solid foods of all types should be avoided for the first six months, and certain items—like cow’s milk, eggs, fish, and nuts—should not be introduced until even later, according to a consensus statement on infant feeding released this week by the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI).
“It is important to understand that we are talking about exclusive breastfeedingbreastfeeding, with no formula, soy or anything else,” researcher Amal Assa’ad, MD, tells WebMD. “This appears to be important for protecting against allergies.” ... The ACAAI food allergy committee also specifically recommends that—when there is evidence of an increased risk for food allergies—cow’s milk and other dairy products should be avoided for the first year of life; eggs should not be given until at least age 2; and peanuts, tree nuts, fish, and other seafood should be avoided until at least age 3.
Although the foods above are the most likely to trigger allergies, other foods may also pose a risk if introduced too early, the group noted.
Maybe this is one reason why so many kids are developing allergies that no one ever had more than about 20 years ago, like peanut allergies. Perhaps the second-generation of formula-fed babies develop the susceptibility.
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Technorati Tags:baby, breastfeeding, childrearing, medical research
I was amazed to learn the many benefits of br-feeding when I was in nursing school. It’s stunning to me that any woman would not do it if she could.
Studies are about averages, not about specifics. Every single study ever made had a percentage of people that it did not apply to. That’s because very person is different: different genetics, different environment.
It’s also worth considering how bad it would have been had you not breastfed.