is it true that bf helps to prevent childhood cancer?

[pregnantbabyelephant]

it says so in my nct guide to bf and on a few websites ive seen
but it doesnt say it on any of the nhs leaflets info etc
i would of thought the nhs would strongly promote this if it is a benefit?

[tiredemma]

something here about it
www.canceractive.com/page.php?n=697

[Lorayn]

Apparently it does, it is a great way to help immunity as well, my daughter was prem, so I couldnt feed her, and she has asthma,eczema,hayfever, basically all the allergies possible!! I bf my son, he has none of them, and was so much more content as a baby, I've read this is due to the feeding, And I believe it.

[pregnantbabyelephant]

why do u think the nhs dont promote that fact

[ruty]

that article says nothing about breast feeding reducting childhood cancers, it talks about reducing the risk of breast cancer in the mothers. I am still breast feeding my 2 year old and would love there to be some evidence about breastmilk reducing risk of childhood cancers but don't know of any.

[pregnantbabyelephant]

ruty it says in thre nct book "there is also some evidence that children who were bf are less likey to develop cancer before the age of 15"

[ruty]

'some evidence'. would like to know what that evidence is but hope it is true.

[pregnantbabyelephant]

yeah me too thats a good enough reason to carry on bf for sure even if that was the only benefit

[terramum]

The ProMOM list of the benefits of bfing states that children who are bf have lower chances of getting leukaemia, breast cancer and Hodgkins disease (search for "cancer" on the page to fin them):
www.promom.org/101/

Kellymom also has info on the lower chances of getting breast cancer...:
www.kellymom.com/bf/bfextended/ebf-refs.html#BreastCancer1

...and childhood cancers:
www.kellymom.com/newman/risks_of_formula_08-02.html#childcancer

[pregnantbabyelephant]

hooray for terramum thats what weve been looking

[pregnantbabyelephant]

looking for !!

[milkmummy1]

my BF baby has always been so content and some others have said this may be because he is breast fed. he was premature and i had read that prem babies cry more but he has never been like this. But back to the point my HV told me that BF helps to prevent childhood cancers but i think this mainly applies to babies who have benefited from extended breastfeeding.