Asthma and breastfeeding

Breastfeeding your newborn baby for at least the first six months can significantly reduce your child’s risk of developing childhood asthma and other allergies. Around one in nine Australian children has been diagnosed with asthma.

Factors in the rise of childhood asthma

Australia has one of the highest asthma rates in the world. The Australian Bureau of Statistics estimates that more than 2.2 million Australians are affected by asthma. Some of the factors that may have contributed to the rise in childhood asthma over the past decade include:

• Increased exposure to viral infection while young
• Changes in lifestyle
• Exposure to house dust mite
• Not enough oily fish in the Australian diet
• Less women breastfeeding their newborn babies.

A six year research study

The rate of breastfeeding in Australia has declined, mirroring the rise in childhood asthma. Whether breastfeeding offers a child any protection against developing asthma and other allergies has long been controversial in the breast-versus-bottle debate.

Researchers in Western Australia tracked over 2,000 children from birth to six years of age and found that breastfeeding for at least six months significantly reduces a baby’s risk of later developing asthma and other allergies.

There has been further research done overseas on asthma and breastfeeding with inconsistent findings. Researchers agree that further investigation needs to be done on the relationship between cows milk allergy from bottle feeding and breastfeeding.

A skill to be learned

Breastfeeding is a learned skill and it may take time for the mother and baby to master it. Some women give up trying to breastfeed because they are worried their baby might not be getting enough milk during the learning and establishing process. If you are having trouble breastfeeding your baby, there are lactation experts available to help you.

Where to get help

• Your doctor
• Australian Breastfeeding Association Helpline Tel. 1800 mum 2 mum (1800 686 2 686)
• Hospitals – The Royal Women’s Hospital Tel. (03) 8345 2000 or Mercy Hospital for Women Tel. (03) 9270 2222
• The Asthma Foundation of Victoria Tel. 1800 645 130 or (03) 9326 7088
• Paediatrician
• Maternal and child health nurse or midwife

Things to remember

• Approximately one in nine children in Australia has been diagnosed with asthma.
• Breastfeeding for at least the first six months can significantly reduce your baby’s risk of developing childhood asthma and other allergies.
• Breastfeeding is a learned skill and it may take time for you and your baby to master the techniques involved.

You might also be interested in:

• Asthma.
  
• Asthma-friendly home.
  

Want to know more?

Go to More information for support groups, related links and references.

This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:

(Logo links to further information)

Asthma Victoria

Last reviewed: July 2011

Content on this website is provided for education and information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not imply endorsement and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional. Content has been prepared for Victorian residents and wider Australian audiences, and was accurate at the time of publication. Readers should note that, over time, currency and completeness of the information may change. All users are urged to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions.

If you would like to link to this fact sheet on your website, simply copy the code below and add it to your page:

<a href="http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Asthma_and_breastfeeding?open">Asthma and breastfeeding - Better Health Channel</a><br/>
Breastfeeding can reduce the risk of your baby developing childhood asthma and other allergies. To gain the full benefit, you need to breastfeed for at least the first six months.

Content on this website is provided for education and information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not imply endorsement and is not intended to replace advice from your qualified health professional. Content has been prepared for Victorian residence and wider Australian audiences, and was accurate at the time of publication. Readers should note that over time currency and completeness of the information may change. All users are urged to always seek advice from a qualified health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions.

For the latest updates and more information, visit www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au

Copyight © 1999/2012  State of Victoria. Reproduced from the Better Health Channel (www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au) at no cost with permission of the Victorian Minister for Health. Unauthorised reproduction and other uses comprised in the copyright are prohibited without permission.