I apologize that I don't have the references handly, but if you do a medline 
on asthma and breastfeeding you will come up with 260 references. I have heard 
several presentations reviewing the asthma and breastfeeding literature and 
the results are very mixed.  Some studies do indeed indicate that breastfed 
infants have more asthma.  The explanation is based on the "hygiene hypothesis" - 
breastfed infants have less infections, therefore the immune system has less 
challenges and less opportunity to become immunologically tolerant to 
allergens, so that the infant/child reacts more strongly when exposed later.

There is an excellent review of the issue in Lars Hanson's Book: Immunology 
of Human Milk: How Breastfeeding Protects Babies, available at 
www.ibreastfeeding.com (Tom Hale published the book).  I have no financial interest in the 
book.

Nancy
Nancy E. Wight MD, IBCLC, FABM, FAAP
Neonatologist, Sharp Mary Birch Hospital for Women and Children's Hospital
Medical Director, Sharp HealthCare Lactation Services
San Diego, CA
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