INTERVENTION:
Exclusively breast feed infant for the first 4-6 months of life.
INTERVENTION GOAL:
Decrease risk of cow’s milk allergy and eczema.
EVIDENCE supporting INTERVENTION:
Nearly a decade ago, studies during which they interviewed mothers and assessed allergic disease suggested that breastfeeding for at least 4 months decreased risk of allergic disease.
More recent studies have agreed, that breastfeeding for at least 4, months may decrease risk of allergies and eczema.
POTENTIAL RISK:
There are no randomized studies of breastfeeding versus formula, because forcing a mother to breast feed or to not breast feed is unethical. That means that there has not been a perfect study to answer this question. Experts do NOT think that there is any danger in breastfeeding.
INTERVENTION SPECIFICS:
If possible, breast feed exclusively (no formula) for the first 4 months of the infants life.
Of note, recent studies suggest that the benefit of breastfeeding is LOST if solid food introduction is delayed. At 4-6 months of age, solid foods should be added, even if breast feeding is continued.