Breastfeeding and Eczema

There are lots of reasons to breastfeed.  We've all heard of the benefits, and many beleive that breastfeeding helps prevent allergies.  But it turns out that beastfeeding may not help prevent eczema, as previously thought.  A new study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology found  the longer a baby was breastfed, the more likely he/she was to develop eczema ( assuming they were already at risk for it becausde their mothers have a history of asthma). 

Researchers studied more than three hundred babies who were at increased rish for allergies  and found that 55% of those who were breastfed exclusively for more than 6 months, developed eczema by age 2.  That's compared to 37% who were breastfed exclusively for 3-6 months and 29% who were breastfeed for less than three months.

The researchers say that the reason for this might be that mothers with allergies, through their breastmilk, can transmit  'risk factors" that promote eczema.  They also say it's possible the fatty-acids in breast mlk could also contribute but more study on that thought is necessary.

The researachers are not suggesting that mohers with a history of allergies or asthma shouldn't breastfeed, but that it shouldn't be done on the assumption that it will prevent eczema.