Table 3

The relation between the duration of breastfeeding and the risks of current asthma, persistent wheezing, cough, and phlegm at the end of the follow-up period (N = 1933).

Duration of breastfeeding
Current asthma
Persistent wheezing
Persistent cough
Persistent phlegm



Adjusted OR*
95% CI
Adjusted OR*
95% CI
Adjusted OR*
95% CI
Adjusted OR*
95% CI

0–3 months
1.44
0.78, 2.66
1.64
0.77, 3.52
1.72
0.94, 3.15
2.38
1.20, 4.70
4–6 months
1.00 (reference)
1.38
0.64, 2.97
1.35
0.73, 2.50
1.90
0.95, 3.79
7–9 months
1.16
0.65, 2.08
1.00 (reference)
1.00 (reference)
1.00 (reference)
9–12 months
1.72
0.97, 2.08
1.15
0.53, 2.50
1.21
0.65, 2.25
1.87
0.95, 3.71
> 12 months
1.60
0.83, 2.08
2.26
1.07, 4.79
1.63
0.84, 3.16
2.88
1.42, 5.84
Change in breastfeeding








From optimal to shorter per month
1.10
0.92, 1.32
1.12
0.99, 1.19
1.08
0.98, 1.19
1.11
1.00, 1.24
From optimal to longer per month
1.03
1.00, 1.05
1.05
1.03, 1.08
1.04
1.02, 1.06
1.04
1.01, 1.06

* Adjusted in logistic regression analysis for age, gender, parent's highest education, single parent or guardian, exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), smoking during pregnancy, parental atopy, and parental asthma, presence of hairy or feathery pets at home or type of day care during the past year

Optimal was 7 months for asthma and 9 months for chronic respiratory symptoms

Optimal 7 months

Fredriksson et al. BMC Pediatrics 2007 7:39   doi:10.1186/1471-2431-7-39