Breastfeeding is a potent protector against respiratory diseases in childhood. A study we echoed at the time pointed to greater protection of breastfeeding against respiratory viruses in girls rather than boys. Not because immunity does not affect boys, but because girls seem to be more sensitive to these types of conditions.
Now we know a study conducted in Buenos Aires by researchers from the University of Tenesse that points in the same direction ensuring that breastfeeding reduces the risk of severe lung infection in girls.
The researchers looked at a group of babies who developed an infection at an average age of 4.6 months and the results were much more noticeable in the case of girls.
23% of girls who drank formula milk developed viral pneumonia compared to only 5% of girls who had been breastfed. The difference is very marked and more if we consider that the girls of the first group required hospitalization more frequently than those of the second group. Specifically, 38% versus 18%, even taking into account other risk factors for respiratory infections such as living in an environment with tobacco, having less than 3 months of life or having a family history.
In conclusion, the study authors advise mothers of girls to take breastfeeding more into account when it comes to protecting the lung health of their babies.
I extend the advice to mothers of both girls and boys since although girls may be, in general, more sensitive to these types of infections, breast milk is the best protection we can give our children, whenever possible .
