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 client 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 breastfeeding 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 in 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 can make an informed decision on whether or not to breastfeed. I am wondering 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