Written By: N. Lothungbeni Humtsoe | Updated : April 25, 2026 12:05 PM IST
Medically Verified By: Dr Vaishali Sharma
Image credits by: Breastfeeding may lower asthma risk.
The benefits of breastfeeding early on in infancy might be lasting well beyond the initial years. A new study conducted by Swedish researchers indicates that at least four months of exclusive breastfeeding may help in minimising the risk of asthma and allergic sensitisation even in young adulthood. These results were based on a longitudinal birth cohort comprising 3,919 respondents who were followed until reaching the age of 24.
The pattern of breastfeeding was studied at age one and results of asthma were tracked via regular questionnaires where immune responses were measured by Immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels at various ages i.e 4, 8, 16, and 24 years. The findings indicated that those who had only breastfed for at least four months were at a reduced risk of overall asthma development by 25 per cent compared to those who did not.
The protective effect was observed to be greatest in the early years of life and there was a sharp decrease in the risk of asthma till the age of 12. But after adolescence the association was less strong as investigators found that although breastfeeding was associated with decreased risks of persistent asthma it was not significantly associated with early transient asthma or with late-onset asthma.
Another wider benefit which was noted in the study broader than respiratory health was that breastfeeding for four months or more was linked with reduced levels of IgE sensitisation which is a significant indicator of allergy diseases such as asthma, eczematous reactions and food allergies.
Interestingly the association was even stronger when researchers have removed children with early symptoms of wheezing or eczema in infancy. This implies that the health protective effect of breastfeeding is not as likely to be affected by underlying health factors and tends to be more of a biological advantage.
Although the study suggests that breastfeeding is not entirely protective against all forms of asthma there is a pattern that may be followed which involves protection against the onset of asthma especially when it is early and persistent. It further supports the notion that infant feeding decisions can have long-term immune developmental consequences.
Dr. Vaishali Sharma, MD (AIIMS) Gynecologist and infertility specialist shares essential tips to boost milk production:
These results contribute to an accumulating body of evidence that nutrition in early life may have lasting impacts on respiratory and allergic disease in later life. Therefore breastfeeding warrants attention in the context of long-term health.
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Disclaimer: The content on TheHealthSite.com is only for informational purposes. It is not at all professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a healthcare specialist for any questions regarding your health or a medical condition.
