Children are less likely to develop eczema or allergies if mothers eat dairy and ruminant meat while breastfeeding. This is apparent from research by Maastricht University into the fatty acid composition of breast milk.
The scientists conducted research among 300 breastfeeding mothers and their children. Certain fatty acids are introduced into breast milk via the mother's diet † This mainly concerns the vaccenic acids and rumenic acids contained in ruminant meat and dairy. Mothers may also make these acids themselves, but they are mainly found in organic dairy products that breastfeeding mothers eat.
It has been suspected for some time that breastfeeding reduces the risk of eczema before the child's third year of life. The university's research now confirms this.
