New York: A recent study revealed significant research findings. According to it, Infants who were exclusively fed breast milk during their hospitalisation at birth had a 22 percent lower risk of developing asthma in early childhood. This finding underscores the crucial role of early breastfeeding in shaping children’s health outcomes.
Although the birth hospitalisation lasts only a few days, it sets a critical foundation for establishing breastfeeding, which can influence health outcomes like childhood asthma, according to research presented during the American Academy of Pediatrics ‘2024 National Conference and Exhibition in Orlando, Florida.
According to Laura Placke Ward, co-director of the Centre for Breastfeeding Medicine at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Centre, the study emphasises the importance of hospital procedures in promoting exclusive breastfeeding, as early experiences might have long-term consequences.
The authors noted that while longer duration and exclusive breastfeeding are known to reduce asthma risk, the effect of breastfeeding during birth hospitalisation is less understood.
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Of the 9,649 children included in the study, 81 percent received some breast milk and 31 percent exclusively during the birth hospitalisation.
Five percent had a diagnosis of asthma. Infants who received only breast milk had a lower rate of asthma diagnosis compared to those who did not receive any breast milk or did not receive breast milk exclusively after adjusting for sex, race, and insurance status.
“Additionally, infants whose The findings showed that children whose first feeding was breast milk also had a lower rate of asthma than those whose first feeding was not breast milk.
Practical Implications: Focusing on the first days of a child’s life can influence their health trajectory and reduce the risk of chronic conditions like asthma. This insight from our research could significantly impact healthcare practices, leading to better health outcomes for children.
The study authors noted that this finding underscores the need for greater emphasis on supporting and promoting exclusive breastfeeding during the early days of life, a responsibility that falls on the shoulders of healthcare professionals.
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–IANS
