Breastfeeding for longer ‘could prevent wheezing in first year’

BABIES who breastfeed for long periods of time after birth are less likely to wheeze and suffer other breathing difficulties, a new study has shown.

More than 2,700 mothers and infants took part in the study which concluded that breastfeeding could play a role in preventing wheezing in the first year of life.

It also puts the child at lower risk of developing asthma later on in life, according to the study carried out by the University of Manitoba in Canada.

It found that at three months old, babies who were exclusively breastfed had a 26% reduced rate of wheezing compared to infants who were not breastfed.

The results were similar for those being breastfed at six months old.

It also found that babies breastfed at one year had a 33% reduced rate of wheezing compared to those who breastfed for less than six months.

Dr Meghan Azad, an assistant professor at the University of Manitoba, said: “For babies who are at high risk for developing asthma because their mothers have the condition, breastfeeding was especially beneficial.

“Among these high-risk babies, those who were exclusively breastfed for six months had a 62% reduced rate of wheezing compared to those who were not breastfed, which is very significant.”

The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for six months to achieve optimal infant growth and development.

But the university also indicated there is emerging evidence that earlier introduction of certain complementary foods may reduce the risk of allergic disease.

“This was an interesting result that may help to inform infant feeding guidelines and guide further research on the bioactive properties of human milk,” Azad said.

The study was officially published earlier this month in the European Respiratory Journal.

Commenting on the research, Janet Fyle, professional policy advisor at the Royal College of Midwives, said: “This is further evidence of the benefits of breastfeeding and its positive impact on the health and well-being of both mother and baby.

“The benefits of breastfeeding should also be seen in terms of cost savings for the NHS because these benefits go beyond infancy.

“Breastfeeding lays down the foundation for the future health of individuals.

“This is why it is important to invest in midwives so that maternity staff can offer the level of support and advice that many new mothers need to enable them to initiate and sustain breastfeeding.”

Researchers studied 2,773 infants from the Canadian Healthy Infant Longitudinal Development birth cohort.