As certified breastfeeding counselors (CBC), future IBCLCs, and doulas, it’s important to stay up to date with evidenced-based information. A recent study published in October 2020 looked at breastfeeding and later infection rates in infants and toddlers. We already know that breastfeeding provides immune system support, but what did this new study find?
In short, this study confirmed what we already knew: breastfeeding reduces the risk, duration, and severity of infections.
This study provided more information and evidenced about why this might be. It also looked at how the duration of breastfeeding impacted future risk of infections.
Keeping up to date with new studies makes it possible for you to keep your clients informed about the benefits of breastfeeding. As a professional, it’s important to be able to review a study and understand how to relay the information to your clients. Understanding how the study was conducted and the results makes it easier for you to share this up-to-date information with your clients.
How And Where Was This Study Performed?
A population-based birth cohort of Danish mothers and infants were used for this study. It included approximately 815 mother-baby dyads, or pairs. Mothers who participated in this study were sent weekly text message questionnaires until the end of weaning. They were also sent questionnaires about infection symptoms bi-weekly until their child was 12-36 months of age.
To identify any hospitalizations, researchers reviewed hospital records to maintain accuracy in addition to their questionnaires.
This type of study allowed researchers to keep track of and compare breastfeeding duration with infection and hospitalization rates.
As with any study, there are some limitations. For instance, researchers her needed to rely on mothers to honestly answer questionnaires. Strengths of this study included being population-based and including a decent size, over 800 pairs. Using hospital records also added to the legitimacy of any connections made related to hospitalization rates.
Another thing to keep in mind is no two mother baby pairs are alike, nor is any baby directly comparable to another. Each infant’s immune system and infection rate can be influenced by many things including environment and genetics. However, when it comes to studying outcomes, we can still get a big picture idea of the impact breastfeeding may have on infants.
What Correlation Was Found Between Breastfeeding And Infection Rates?
Previous studies have noted a strong correlation between breastfeeding and a reduced risk of infection. If infection occurs, they found duration and severity to be less among breastfeeding infants.
This study also found a correlation between breastfeeding duration, infection rates, and risk of hospitalization.
“815 mother-baby dyads demonstrated that the longer the duration of breastfeeding, especially exclusive breastfeeding, the lower the hospitalization rate as seen in the first year of life, but not in the second or third year after birth for these young children. In the first year, for every additional month of any type of breastfeeding, there was a 4% reduced rate of hospitalization.”
The study found:
- A mean duration of 7.6 months of breastfeeding
- A mean of 2.1 months of exclusive breastfeeding
- A reduction of hospitalization among breastfed babies and toddlers
- Each additional month of breastfeeding reduced the rate of hospitalization
This study corroborates what we’ve seen in previous studies: breastfeeding is an important protection against infection during infancy and toddlerhood.
What Do Experts Say About This Study?
The original study authors invited lactation and epidemiologists to review the study and then provide commentary.
Drs. Meek, Feldman-Winer, and Noble, experts in lactation science and epidemiology, reviewed the study and reported this study remains in-line with current recommendations. They wrote:
“The American Academy of Pediatrics and World Health Organization recommend breastfeeding as the optimal method of infant feeding. Multiple other medical and health professional organizations concur with this recommendation on the basis of the evidence that exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life, with continuation after the introduction of complementary solids, promotes optimal health and well-being for mothers and infants.3–6 The reported benefits for infants are strongest in the first 12 months of life, and the benefits continue after the period of direct breastfeeding has ended.
In this edition of Pediatrics, Christensen et al present a study demonstrating that longer duration of breastfeeding was associated with decreased risk of hospitalization for infection during the first year of life.”
In short, this study confirmed a lot of what we already knew about breastfeeding; it reduces the risk of severe infection and hospitalization.
What Does This Information Mean For CBC And Lactation Professionals?
As a lactation professional, this information can help you keep your clients informed. Many parents are unfortunately targeted with poor breastfeeding information and advice. When working with parents, especially prenatally, you can use this new study to reinforce the importance of initiating breastfeeding.
It is also a helpful study to show parents who struggle with lactation, affirming that each month of breastfeeding has continued benefits even once they wean.
For mothers with an older infant or toddler, this study can reassure her of the benefits of continuing to breastfeed as long as desired. Each month provides a reduction in the risk and severity of infection.