Jan

15

Breastfeed To Lower High Risk Infants To Eczema

Filed Under Eczema Treatment, Eczema Prevention, Eczema News, Baby Eczema 

I’ve known about the benefits to breast feeding but here is more convincing information on why you should consider breastfeeding your baby, especially if you are an [tag-tec]eczema[/tag-tec] sufferer or come from a family who suffers from allergies.

In the January issue of Pediatrics, published by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), it is concluded that atopic diseases which include [tag-dtec]eczema[/tag-dtec] and food allergies may be delayed or even prevented in high-risk infants if they are exclusively breast-fed for at least four months or fed infant formula without cow milk protein.

Dr. Frank Greer, an author of the report, professor of pediatrics at the University of Wisconsin and chairman of the AAP Committee on Nutrition, proposed that the best prevention for atopic [allergic] disease is exclusive breast-feeding for four months. He also advised that if “your infant comes from a family with significant atopic disease, then weaning from breast milk to a partially or extensively hydrolyzed [hypoallergenic] formula [without cow milk protein] may delay or prevent the onset of atopic disease, especially atopic dermatitis [eczema].”

The incidence of allergies are on the rise. In children 4 years of age and younger, the incidence of asthma has risen 160 percent, while the incidence of atopic dermatitis has almost tripled. Sufferers of peanut allergy has also doubled just during the past decade, according to the report.

Clearly, if you have a family history of allergies, consider breast feeding to help reduce the risk. While there is no evidence that what a mother eats during pregnancy or breast-feeding plays a major part in preventing atopic disease in infants, there is some evidence, however, that avoiding certain foods during breast-feeding may help prevent atopic [tag-ice]eczema[/tag-ice]. Exclusive breast-feeding for at least three months also helps to protect an infant against wheezing in early life. There is no convincing evidence to suggest that any dietary intervention will prevent atopic disease after 4 to 6 months of age.

Some of my girlfriends had preferred not to breastfeed their babies, citing reasons such as “inconvenient”. However, this latest conclusion should lend further support to the case for breastfeeding.

Comments

One Response to “Breastfeed To Lower High Risk Infants To Eczema”

  1. Enrique Chavez on March 1st, 2008 6:02 pm

    I’d like to share my experience regarding this issue. My maternal family is prone to allergy attacks and most especially to peanuts and other delectables. My mother stopped breastfeeding him at 2 months old since my mom was a busy-body. He suffered extreme cases of anaphylactic shock every time he ingests allergens. He has to carry his injectable meds with him every time due to this. I was born 6 years after my brother and breastfed until I was 8 months. I still have allergic reactions but unlike my brother, I only experience skin allergies.

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