Researchers, using data from the results of the Cebu Longitudinal Health and Nutrition Survey, discovered that breastfeeding is effective in lowering the risk of diarrhea in infants even if environmental sanitation is compromised.

During her study presentation, Dr. Nanette Lee-Mayol, Research Associate at the University of San Carlos (USC), shared, “We know that breastfeeding is protective of infants against infectious disease, especially diarrhea. In this study, we see the relationship of exclusive breastfeeding and sanitation with decrease or increase in the probability of getting diarrhea.”

Covering 2,355 infants less than six months of age, the study gathered information on breastfeeding practices in 17 communities in Cebu in a span of one year. On their second month after birth, 19% of the infants were completely weaned from breastfeeding, 38% were mixed-fed, and 20% received nonnutritive liquid substitutes in addition to breast milk. Researchers then compared the effects of full breastfeeding, mixed feeding and weaning on the chances of infants to acquire diarrheal disease at different levels of sanitation.

Study confirmed that breastfeeding provides protection to infants against diarrheal infection. It was also revealed that regardless of the sanitary conditions of the environment, breastfeeding was consistent in providing protection against diarrhea in children. Upon comparison of fully breastfed and mixed-fed infants, scientists observed that fully breastfed infants had lower risks of contracting diarrheal infections. Dr. Mayol explained that mixed fed infants are twice as likely to get diarrhea as exclusively breastfed babies because other food substances, such as water or tea, may have diarrhea-inducing pathogens. On the other hand, children who were completely weaned from breastfeeding showed the least protection from diarrheal infection in all levels of environmental sanitations.

 In order to protect children from diarrhea, Dr. Mayol advised mothers to stick to exclusive breastfeeding. She said, “I always push for exclusive breastfeeding. Especially, for infants living in environment with poor sanitation, exclusive breastfeeding is the best protection you can provide.”