Exclusive Breastfeeding Dramatically Reduces Food Allergy Risk, Israeli Study Reveals

The study examined three feeding patterns: exclusive breastfeeding (39% of participants), combined breastfeeding and formula (49%), and formula only (12%).

By TPS

Four months of breastfeeding could be the key to preventing common childhood allergies, Israeli researchers said.

The study found that babies exclusively breastfed for the first four months of life are significantly less likely to develop common food allergies, potentially explaining a rise in allergic reactions among children in Western countries.

The research, conducted by Prof. Aharon Kessel and his team at Bnei Zion Medical Center’s Institute of Allergy and Clinical Immunology in Haifa, analyzed data from nearly 3,000 infants and was recently published in the peer-reviewed Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology journal.

“The findings are quite striking,” said Prof. Kessel, the study’s lead researcher.

“Exclusive breastfeeding during those critical first four months reduces the risk of developing allergies to peanuts, eggs, and sesame seeds compared to partial breastfeeding or formula feeding.”

The study examined three feeding patterns: exclusive breastfeeding (39% of participants), combined breastfeeding and formula (49%), and formula only (12%). Researchers tracked allergy development in these infants up to 24 months of age.

Results showed that exclusively breastfed babies had a 42% lower chance of developing sesame allergies, while those with mixed feeding faced a 73% higher risk.

Similarly dramatic reductions were found for egg allergies (91% higher risk in partially breastfed infants) and peanut allergies (double the risk in partially breastfed infants).

Perhaps most surprising was the finding regarding cow’s milk protein allergies—the most common food allergy detected. Infants who received formula immediately after birth in the hospital and then switched to exclusive breastfeeding showed an 89% higher risk of developing milk allergies.

The study also offered guidance for parents of infants with atopic dermatitis, suggesting early introduction of sesame between 4-6 months, as later exposure increased allergy risk.

With food allergy rates continuing to climb across developed nations, Prof. Kessel believes these findings could help reverse the trend.

“While fewer women today rely solely on breastfeeding, our research indicates this may be contributing to the rising incidence of food allergies,” Kessel said.

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