Exclusively breastfeeding a baby during the first four months of life reduces by 37% her chances of being asthmatic by age eight.
Dr. Inger Kull and her team at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden, focused on the issue, reports the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.
Dr. Kull told Reuters Health: "Breast milk is the optimal food for infants during the first months of life. But whether or not breastfeeding reduces the risk of asthma has been debated."
After many conflicting studies on a possible link between breastfeeding and asthma, researchers wanted to clarify the situation. They followed nearly 4,000 8-year old children and noted those who were breastfed, for how long and whether breastfeeding was exclusive or partial.
12% of those who were exclusively breastfed during the first four months of life developed asthma at age eight, compared to 18% of those who were breastfed for a shorter period.
However, not all mothers who want to breastfeed are able to do so. It was noted that even partial breastfeeding has an impact. Experts point out that breast milk is the best food for babies. It allows the child to receive good bacteria, antibodies and proteins that will fight against infections.