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Women who breastfeed their infants for an extended period of time appear to gain protection against rheumatoid arthritis in the future, a new study suggests.

Research published in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases indicates that breastfeeding for more than a year halves the risk of rheumatoid arthritis.

Researchers analysed breastfeeding histories in 136 women with rheumatoid arthritis and a further 544 women without the disease.

They found that women who had breastfed for between one and 12 months were 25 per cent less likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis than those who had never breastfed.

Meanwhile those who had breastfed for 13 months or more were half as likely to develop the disease.

According to the researchers, their findings provide an additional reason for women to choose to breastfeed.

Meanwhile, a survey by premature baby charity Bliss has found that some mothers of premature and sick babies do not breastfeed because of a lack of advice and support.

Over a third of respondents (38 per cent) revealed that they did not breastfeed, even though the majority knew about the benefits, and 17 per cent blamed this on a lack of support from staff.

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