Association of breastfeeding practices during the first 12 months and subsequent infant respiratory tract infections: a prospective cohort study.

Abstract

Background: Breastfeeding and human milk are the normative standards for infant feeding and nutrition.

Objectives: We aimed to examine the association of breastfeeding practices during the first year of life with subsequent infant respiratory tract infections (RTIs).

Methods: The study was a secondary analysis embedded in the Tongji Maternal and Child Health Cohort study. Information on infant breastfeeding was collected at 3, 6, and 12 months of age. Pediatrician-diagnosed infant RTIs and hospitalization for RTIs during 12-24 months were obtained at 24 months postpartum. Robust log-Poisson regression models were applied to explore the association of breastfeeding practices with RTIs risk and hospitalization due to RTIs.

Results: Among the 5242 infants studied, 13.1% (n = 435) of infants received full breastfeeding for six months and continued breastfeeding for at least one year (F6-L). When compared with infants in the F6-L group, those who were formula fed (FF) had a higher risk of RTIs, including upper RTIS and lower RTIS, the adjusted RRs (95%CIs) were 1.34 (1.17, 1.53), 1.31 (1.12, 1.52), 1.59 (1.10, 2.31), respectively. When compared with infants in the F6-L group, the adjusted RRs (95%CIs) for hospitalization from RTIs was 1.88 (1.20, 2.95) for the FF group.

Conclusion: Full breastfeeding for six months and continued breastfeeding for at least one year was associated with a lower risk of subsequent infant RTIs and hospitalization from RTIs.