Mom’s know how healthy breastfeeding is
Breastfeeding has already been linked to a host of health benefits for babies: lower risk of asthma, childhood obesity and Type 2 diabetes, just to get started. But two new studies now associate breastfeeding with a decreased risk of common infections (throat, ear and sinus), along with allergies. What’s more? Breastfeeding prevents allergies that extends into childhood, not just the newborn days.
In one new study, led by an expert from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, researchers looked at the health of 1,300 6-year-olds who were breastfed. Those who were breastfed for longer periods — nine months or more — had fewer throat, ear and sinus infections than those who were breastfed for a shorter time.
Breastfeeding prevents allergies
The difference was most noticeable for sinus infections, according to the researchers. Children who were breastfed a longer period had a 53-percent lower chance of having had sinus trouble within the past year.
Separately, an expert from a food-safety branch of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration took a look at 6-year-olds’ rate of “probable food allergies.” The findings: breastfeeding for a period of four or more months chopped a child’s food-allergy risk in half.
The one caveat is high-risk families, where allergies already run rampant. Breastfeeding didn’t seem to decrease the odds of allergies passing to the next generation.
Childhood sinus infections and allergies can have many causes, and treatment varies greatly from child to child. If you suspect your child is dealing with either problem, get in touch with our team of NYC sinus doctors anytime.
Frequently Asked Questions
Breastfeeding offers numerous health benefits for babies, including a lower risk of asthma, childhood obesity, and Type 2 diabetes. Additionally, recent studies associate breastfeeding with a decreased risk of common infections like throat, ear, and sinus infections, as well as allergies that can persist into childhood.
Research shows that children breastfed for nine months or longer have significantly fewer sinus infections. Specifically, these children have a 53% lower chance of experiencing sinus trouble within a year compared to those breastfed for shorter periods.
Yes. A study found that breastfeeding for four or more months can reduce the risk of probable food allergies in children by half. This protective effect highlights breastfeeding’s role in supporting children's immune health related to food sensitivities.
Breastfeeding does not appear to reduce allergy risk in children from high-risk families where allergies are common. In such families, genetic and environmental factors may override the protective benefits of breastfeeding against allergies.
To gain significant protection against infections and allergies, breastfeeding for at least nine months is beneficial for preventing sinus and other infections, while breastfeeding for four or more months reduces the risk of food allergies.
Parents who suspect their child is suffering from sinus infections or allergies should seek professional medical advice. Consulting with specialized sinus doctors, such as those in NYC, ensures proper diagnosis and personalized treatment planning.