The team of scientists studied almost 1,300 children whose parents took part in a diet and lifestyle study between 1996 and 2000. They wanted to see if certain foods either raised or reduced the risk of asthma and hayfever.

The study, published in the British Journal of Nutrition, showed the risk of developing asthma is reduced by almost two-thirds if babies are fed oats before they reach five months of age. Furthermore, babies fed porridge in their first few months of life were 64 per cent less likely to have chest problems as a toddler, than those who did not eat it or started later.

These findings contradict the Department of Health infant feeding guidelines, which recommend breastfeeding for six months before introducing solid foods; as the infant digestive system, and kidneys, are not usually developed enough to deal with solid food while they are still so young.

For the full story, please go to: http://www.asthma.org.uk/news_media/news/porridge_may_lower.html

For the Department of Health infant feeding guidelines, please go to: http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_4097197