source: the Irish Times
Breastfeeding helps protect babies against the most common respiratory illness affecting children, researchers in Limerick have found.
Even partial breastfeeding in the first months of life can reduce the severity and rate of hospitalisation associated with RSV attacks, according to their study.
RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) is the main cause of lower lung infections among children worldwide. Children’s hospitals in the State were overwhelmed by waves of RSV infection earlier this winter, and last winter, requiring a number of very sick children to be airlifted to Sweden for emergency ventilation.
Researchers at the University of Limerick and University of Limerick Maternity Hospital reviewed published studies into the beneficial effects of breastfeeding on RSV-type lower respiratory infections, which have been known for almost 20 years.
