| Get Into It! Spring - Summer 2008 |
|
|
| Share |
|
The number one reason for childhood hospitalization in Australia and the problem is increasing around the globe. Australian researchers examined over 2000 children from birth until the age of six years. The result? Even taking into account premature birth, exposure to tobacco smoke, asthma in the family and other risk factors, breastfeeding offers considerable protection against asthma. The risk of asthma increased if babies were given formula before 4 months of age. Every additional month of exclusive breastfeeding (translation: no formula) lowered the risk of asthma. The results of this study were published in the American Journal of Public Health in September 2004.
Other studies support these facts. A Canadian study on children aged 12 to 24 months also found that the longer the duration of breastfeeding, the greater the protection against the development of asthma. The Pan American Health Organization completed a similar examination as part of the International Study on Asthma and Allergies in Childhood. Over 5000 Brazilian schoolchildren were examined where over 90% of these children had been breastfed. The researchers concluded that the low levels of asthma in this population are related to the high levels of breastfeeding. Children who had been breastfed for six months or longer were less likely to be diagnosed with asthma or experience wheezing.
Breastfeeding has also been shown to protect against eczema. The World Health Organization also recommends that mothers should exclusively breastfeed for at least the first 4 to 6 months. Bottom Line? It just makes sense to breastfeed as long as possible.
Click here to see PDF of this magazine exert. To order a subscription to BWAC, visit our subscription page.
What's On?
CNN Special: Blacks in America
"Somebody who saw that special will be looking at me now, thinking that I am probably pregnant with twins for a man whose name I don’t know and looking to the welfare system to support me because it is obvious that a black man never would, right?!"