http://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/mediareleases/media.html
MOTHERS' MILK - EXPERTS REJECT SCAREMONGERING

Australian breastfeeding experts today strongly rejected reports of
a New Zealand study purporting to show breastfed babies were more
susceptible to eczema and asthma.

The study is published in the current edition of the "The Lancet".
It was reported in The Sydney Morning Herald/ The Age.

"Having checked with experts over the weekend, we remain confident
that this study fails to undermine the findings of the many studies
which have found mothers' milk offers protection against eczema and
asthma," Australian Breastfeeding Association National President
Anne Croker said today.

"This study does not warrant scaremongering, especially among new
mothers who will be vulnerable."

Sydney paediatrician Dr Patricia McVeagh said  that the NZ study
reflected the difficulties of doing robust studies of the long term
effects of breastfeeding.

"In this case, the assignment to groups was contaminated by infants
in the breastfeeding group receiving infant formula and the formula
fed group including infants who had been breastfed for less than
four weeks," Dr McVeagh said.

"One important issue not considered was whether the subjects
themselves, who were 26 at the time the study finished, were
cigarette smokers.

"Also, the breastfeeding group included more atopic individuals,
that is people more likely to develop asthma, and we would expect
them to have symptoms of asthma.

"The balance of the evidence remains that exclusive breastfeeding
for six months, with continued breastfeeding and the gradual
introduction of solids after that, is the best choice."

Tamworth GP Dr Carmen Ast said she would continue to recommend that
mothers breastfeed exclusively for six months and especially if the
family had a history of eczema or asthma.

"Both my clinical experience and previous studies dictate that
exclusively breastfed children fare better from a multitude of
health perspectives. In fact, the evidence is that breastfeeding
delays the onset of asthma, eczema and allergic rhinitis", Dr Ast
said.

Contact: Anne Croker 02 6766 7120 or 0409 249 089
Lee King 02 4294 1114 or 0408 535 687

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