Breastfeeding helps develop a healthy gut and reduce the risk of asthma in babies less than a year old, according to a study published today.
U.S. and Canadian scientists found that breastfeeding beyond three months affected the gut, immune system and asthma risk of babies by building a healthy gut microbiome—meaning a community of microorganisms.
“Just as a pacemaker regulates the rhythm of the heart, breastfeeding and human milk set the pace and sequence for microbial colonization in the infant’s gut and nasal cavity, ensuring that this process occurs in an orderly and timely manner,” said computational biologist Liat Shenhav, one of the senior study authors, in a statement.
“Our research highlights the profound impact of breastfeeding on the infant microbiome and breastfeeding’s essential role in supporting respiratory health,” she said.