Available data on the links between a mother's nutrition and the nutrition and growth of her infant and current information on the risk of transmission through
breastfeeding of allergic diseases, environmental toxins, and certain viruses (including the HIV virus) are included.
Research in the United States, Canada, Europe, and other developed countries, among predominantly middle - class populations, provides strong evidence that human milk feeding decreases the incidence and / or severity
of diarrhea,1 - 5 lower respiratory infection,6 - 9 otitis media,3,10 - 14bacteremia, 15,16 bacterial meningitis, 15,17 botulism, 18 urinary tract infection, 19 and necrotizing enterocolitis.20, 21 There are a number
of studies that show a possible protective effect
of human milk feeding against sudden infant death syndrome,22 - 24insulin - dependent diabetes mellitus,25 - 27 Crohn's
disease, 28,29 ulcerative colitis, 29 lymphoma, 30,31
allergic diseases,32 - 34 and other chronic digestive diseases.35 - 37
Breastfeeding has also been related to possible enhancement
of cognitive development.38, 39
What you do after delivery, the two best things that we know that can help prevent any type
of allergic disease — not just food allergy — are
breastfeeding for at least four to six months exclusively, and then not giving child solid foods for that same period
of time.
In children who are at risk for developing
allergic diseases (defined as at least one parent or sibling having atopy), atopic syndrome can be prevented or delayed through exclusive
breastfeeding for four months, though these benefits may not be present after four months
of age.