Children who were breastfed for at least four months had significantly better lung function at age 12. Previously documented benefits of breastfeeding have shown its healthy relationship with developmental, nutritional, immunologic, psychological, social, economic, and environmental factors. "Our data suggest that, rather than acting via reduction of respiratory infections, asthma, or allergy, breastfeeding might have a direct effect on lung growth." "Breastfeeding can remain strongly recommended for all infants."

Medical News:Breastfeeding Linked to Better Lung Function - in Pediatrics, General Pediatrics from M

Children who were breastfed for at least four months had significantly better lung function at age 12 than did children who were not breastfed, data from a large cohort study showed

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Every infant should be given at least six months of exclusive breastfeeding, followed by another six months or longer with other foods gradually added. Proven benefits for the Infant include: reductions in respiratory, gastrointestinal infections, necrotizing enterocolitis, sudden infant death syndrome, asthma, atopic dermatitis, eczema, celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, obesity, leukemia and lymphoma. Proven benefits for the Mother include: improved postpartum blood loss and recovery of the uterus, a greater likelihood of return to pre-pregnancy weight and a reduced risks of type 2 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and breast and ovarian cancer. "Thus, infant feeding should not be considered as a lifestyle choice, but rather as a basic health issue."

Medical News:Breastfeeding Is 'Health, Not Lifestyle' Choice - in Pediatrics, General Pediatrics fro

Every infant should begin life with six months of exclusive breastfeeding, followed by another six months or longer with other foods gradually added to the child's diet, according to an updated policy statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics.

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"There's no reason to avoid foods during breastfeeding." Maternal dietary modifications during breastfeeding do not reduce food allergies and may be "counterproductive". "Even when the child is at higher than usual risk for food allergies, there is no evidence that dietary modifications by the mother make a difference."

Medical News:Nursing Mom's Diet No Guard Against Baby's Allergies - in Meeting Coverage, AAAAI from.

ORLANDO -- Nursing mothers who attempt to ward off food allergies in their babies by avoiding milk, nuts, and other risky foods may be doing more harm than good, researchers said here.

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This works. Breastfeeding may cut the risk of some breast cancers. If a woman does not breastfeed, the breast goes through a process called involution. This is marked by increasing inflammation in the breast tissue. This inflammation may be associated with breast cancer. Women who breastfeed typically stop gradually. As a result, the breast returns to its pre-pregnancy state in a more orderly manner, and with less inflammation.

http://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/news/20110816/breastfeeding-may-cut-risk-of-some-breast-cancers

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This works. Babies should be given only breast milk up to the age of six months. Children who never received breast milk have an increased risk of wheezing, shortness of breath, dry cough and persistent phlegm in their first 4 years. Asthma-related symptoms appear earlier in children who are breastfed for fewer months or who are also given other milk or solids earlier (in the first four months).

Asthma Risk Lower In Breastfed Babies

Babies fed only on breast milk up to the age of six months have a lower risk of developing asthma-related symptoms in early childhood, and this appears to be independent of infectious and allergi

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This works! Breastfeeding substantially reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), especially when breast milk is the sole nutritional source. Breastfeeding is associated with a 73% reduction in SIDS. Results suggest that "breastfeeding itself is protective". This advantage adds to the many infant and maternal benefits of breastfeeding, the researchers noted.

Breastfeeding and Reduced Risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome: A Meta-analysis

pediatrics.aappublications.org

Context: Benefits of breastfeeding include lower risk of postneonatal mortality. However, it is unclear whether breastfeeding specifically lowers sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) risk, because study results have been conflicting.