Does breastfeeding reduce the risk of allergies?

What the evidence says

Breast milk contains immune-supporting compounds, and many parents are told it protects against allergies. Canadian and American pediatric groups agree breastfeeding should be encouraged for many health reasons, but they are more cautious about claiming it specifically prevents food allergies.

Some cohort studies link longer breastfeeding to less eczema and fewer wheezing episodes in early childhood, but results are inconsistent, and one large randomized-style trial in Belarus found no difference in allergic disease or allergy skin testing at age 6 despite a big increase in breastfeeding rates.

For food allergy specifically, reviews describe the findings as mixed rather than clearly protective. The Canadian Paediatric Society does not recommend any special formula over breastfeeding for allergy prevention, and both Canadian and American guidelines say maternal diet does not need to be restricted during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Bottom line: breastfeed for the many well-established benefits it offers, but don't count on it alone to prevent allergies, especially food allergies, in a child at high risk.