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Healthier Lungs for Breast Fed Babies
A study of 10 years old on the Isle of Wight has discovered that children who were breast fed for at least 4 months have a much stronger lung capacity than those who weren’t breast fed. Although as yet it is uncertain why this is, it has been suggested that the different mechanics and duration of sucking may be the cause. On average breast fed babies need to generate 3 times the suction power than those that are bottle fed, meaning that by default feeding also lasts much longer. This has opened up the possibility of changes in bottle design to copy the process.
Dr Elaine Vickers, from Asthma UK, said "While the results of the study don’t focus specifically on asthma, the researchers were able to demonstrate that children breast-fed for four months or longer had better lung function than those who weren’t breast-fed at all, or who were breast-fed for less than four months.
"We currently support advice from the Department of Health, which states that where possible, babies should be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life."
Obviously not all mothers are able to breast feed so that is where new bottle designs become more important. The research team have already been reported to have approached a bottle manufacturer so future bottle feeding mothers can look forward to healthier lungs for their children.
