Breast Milk May Reduce Allergies in Children

Breast Milk May Reduce Allergies in Children

Breast Milk May Inhibit Allergies in Infants

A recent study may reveal why breastfeeding is believed to protect children against allergies and asthma.

Researchers at the INSERM Institute in France showed that female mice exposed to allergens, in this case a protein found in eggs called ovalbumin, pass these allergens directly to their offspring in milk. This caused the newborn mice to become tolerant of the allergens.

In the study, the researchers allowed the mothers of newborn mice to breathe in the protein but not their offspring. Tests confirmed the allergen was then transferred to the baby mice via breast milk and that the baby mice developed an immune system tolerance to it.

This effect happened independently of the mother's own immune system.

The researchers said their work could pave the way for the design of new strategies to prevent the development of allergic diseases.

However, comparable research in humans is unproven, although some studies suggest breastfeeding lowers the risk of asthma in infants .

You may also want to check out the allergies produced by dust mites; and learn about the control measures available, such as enclosing the mattress top and sides with a plastic cover or other dust mite impervious cover (available here), thoroughly vacuuming mattress pillows and the base of the bed. Put an airtight plastic or polyurethane cover over your mattress. This tip is number one for a reason: it is in your bed that you are closest to the mites and their feces and enclosing the mattress and pillows in a dust mite cover virtually eliminates the mites here. There is a website, The Allergy Store, that we recommend that sells allergy controls, like the dustmite-proof fitted sheets. Mattresses covered with "fitted sheets" help prevent the accumulation of human skin scales on the surface.