An irresponsible, sensationalist - and potentially very damaging - headline. Unless there are some key figures that have not been included in The Times coverage, this study does not at all conclude that breast-feeding does not protect babies from asthma. A study of mothers to whom 'breast-feeding was promoted', does not equate to a study of mothers who exclusively breastfed. Nor does the report tell us what numbers of women breastfed exclusively and for how long. No figures are given to qualify such a dramatic headline and the core truth of the study is hidden away at the end of the item where the reader finally gets told the rather obvious conclusion that talking about breastfeeding does not reduce the risk of asthma, hay fever, or eczema. Looking after a baby can be difficult & confusing enough & many new mums find themselves having tough times & wavering between whether to persevere with trying to breast-feed or jacking it in & buying formula. This headline does nothing but bad.

Sara, London, UK

Noone ever said 3 months protected against allergies - if these women had breastfed exclusively for 6-8 months the study would be more reliable.

Might be worth pointing out, when researching more, that the funding for this study came from a company that makes formula milk. Enough said.

michelle, london,

breast feeding will increase the immune system when they still breastfeed, or at least one year because the immune system supplied in breast milk . but after 6.5 years, there are too many factor influencing in asthma rather than breast feeding alone during that time.

Darin, Jakarta,

Breast feeding is better for babies as it is milk made specifically for human babies rather than bovine babies. When you are looking at things like allergies such as asthma & eczema you have to remember that there is an element of genetic predisposition and also how these allergies were treated when they first appeared.

It is very dangerous to print findings like these as of course breast feeding alone will not cut out any genetic predisposition, as the record for breast feeding mothers is already pitifully low in the UK. Was this research commissioned or paid for by formula manufacturers per chance?

Anna, Malaga, Spain

Breast feeding is better for babies as it is milk made specifically for human babies rather than bovine babies. When you are looking at things like allergies such as asthma & eczema you have to remember that there is an element of genetic predisposition and also how these allergies were treated when they first appeared.

It is very dangerous to print findings like these as of course breast feeding alone will not cut out any genetic predisposition, as the record for breast feeding mothers is already pitifully low in the UK. Was this recerch commissioned or paid for by formula manufacturers per chance?

Anna, Malaga, Spain

I have asthma. My father had asthma. I breast fed my babies until they were at least 6 months (one until 10 months). I was bottle fed. Both my children have asthma. My youngest son has the lot - allergies, moderate to severe asthma and eczema. Doesn't that say more about genetics ( and possibly environment since both my children's asthma is worse than mine ) than breast feeding? I find your headline a little alarmist and very unhelpful.

A Darrow, Rotherham,

Breast feeding is the normal way to feed a baby so you should publicise the the side effects of using a sustitute which may or not be an increase in Asthma. Artificial feeding of milk from cows organic or not !!!! is not normal.
Breast fed babies may have health problems for many reasons, genetic problems or environmental or unknown but it would be more helpful if you publicised the known health risks of using artificial milk for newborn babies.

Chris Mundy, Fleet, UK

The study examined babies exclusively breastfed only in the first few months of life. Before drawing the conclusion that breastfeeding does not protect against asthma, the researchers must study babies to whom no artificial milk or solids have been introduced prior to reaching six months.

barbara, Yorkshire, UK

Until the sample size of women still "exclusively breast-feeding at six months" is large enough we can still not conclude that breast-feeding does not reduce the risk of asthma.. This study seems to to have a group that was exclusively breast-feeding at three months only.
If it were claimed that a six months treatment of anti-depressants would be efficacious and a study claimed that those taking the anti-depressants for three months did not seem any better than those not taking any anti-depressants we would raise our eyebrows, would we not?

Brian Hardy, Nantwich,

The study only examined babies who were exclusively breastfed in the first few months. Before drawing the conclusion that breastfeeding does not protect against asthma researchers needs to examine babies to whom no solids or artificail milks have been introduced prior to reaching six months.

barbara higham, Ilkley, Yorkshire, UK

Maybe it's that breastfed babies have a better starting point and it is the general passive immunity that allows the body to be stronger to fight these allergies and asthma.

It's one study out of hundreds that has been conducted in regards to the positive, protective nature of breastmilk! Let's not loose too much sleep over one study. I hope no-body reads this and thinks "Oh, I won't breastfeed then, it's not as good as they thought." That would be very sad.

Breastmilk is the species ideal milk for humans, if we get fantastic benefits for mum and baby then surely it's a bonus!

Claire, walsall, england

Big surprise! The diet of mothers today is so full of pesticides, flavour enhancers and loads of other chemical rubbish, that these compounds get through to breast milk and cause the poor child to be subjected to the poisons.

Now 50 years ago that wasn't the case, and breast feeding was healthy.

Dr John, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

It probably would have in the days before additives, E-numbers, preservatives and others that weaken a toddlers digestive system... cows milk is too strong in any case and the government is wrong in promoting it as a health drink. I haven't had a glass of milk in 6 years and there is no evidence of decreased bone density. I believe breast feeding is beneficial, if only to keep the child away from processed food... and women also don't get the chance to only breastfeed for 6 months because in most work places maternity pay doesn't cover up to that point... statutory minimum after all is 6 weeks

Di, London,