Please be aware that a study CAN show almost anything you want it to. Breastfeeding does reduce the chances and incidents of allergies and asthma. The book, "Womanly Art of Breastfeeding" is a good source of information providing the benefits to mom and baby, of which there are many. Leigh Erdos, LC [log in to unmask] -----Original Message----- From: Lactation Information and Discussion [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Steffany Flakker Sent: Tuesday, October 24, 2006 11:38 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Breastfeeding and allergy prevention Hello, I am a second semester Junior nursing student at the University = of North Dakota. For one of my classes I am working with a pregnant clie= nt who is uncomfortable with breastfeeding. The only way she will consider = breastfeeding, is if doing so will decrease her baby's chances of developing environmental allergies or asthma. I did some research on the issue and found agreement that breastfeedi= ng decreases the risk of the development of food allergies (Zeretzke, 1998).= However, the research on correlations with environmental allergies and = asthma is conflicting. According to Saarinen & Kajosaari (1995) breastfeeding is prophylactic against the development of atopic disease i= n childhood and adolescence. However, a longitudinal study in New Zealand = provided evidence that breastfeeding does not protect children and potentially increases their risk of developing atopy and asthma(Sears et = al., 2002). I would like to provide the mother with accurate information so she c= an make an informed decision on whether or not to breastfeed. I am wonderin= g if anybody has additional insights regarding this matter? References: Kajosaari, M., Saarinen, U., (1995). Breastfeeding as prophylaxis against= atopic disease. The Lancet. 346(8982): 1065-1070. Sears, M., Greene, J., Willan, A., Taylor, R., Flannery, E., Cowan, J., = Herbison, P.,Poulton, R.,(2002). Long-term relation between breastfeeding= and development of atopy and asthma in children and young adults: a longitudinal study. The Lancet. 360(9337): 901-907. Zeretzke, K., (1998). Allergies and the breastfeeding family. New Beginnings. 15(4):100-107. *********************************************** To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest) To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet All commands go to [log in to unmask] The LACTNET email list is powered by LISTSERV (R). There is only one LISTSERV. To learn more, visit: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html *********************************************** To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest) To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet All commands go to [log in to unmask] The LACTNET email list is powered by LISTSERV (R). There is only one LISTSERV. To learn more, visit: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html