 News
9th May 2008
Breastfeeding does boost intelligenceMore
evidence is being put forward that breastfed babies eventually become more intelligent
than those who are fed with formula milk. Canada's McGill University found
breastfed babies ended up performing better in IQ tests by the age of six.
But the researchers were unsure whether it was related to the breast milk itself
or the bond from breastfeeding. The study of nearly 14,000 children is
the latest in a series of reports to have found such a positive link. However,
one problem has been that some of the research has struggled to identify whether
the findings were related to the fact that mothers from more affluent backgrounds
were more likely to breastfeed and it was factors related to the family circumstances
that was really influencing intelligence. But the latest study attempted
to take this into account by following the progress of children born in hospitals
in Belarus, some of which ran breastfeeding promotion schemes to boost rates across
all groups. They found that those who breastfed exclusively for the first
three months - with many also continuing to 12 months - scored an average of 5.9
points higher on IQ tests in childhood. Teachers also rated these children
significantly higher academically than control children in both reading and writing,
the Archives of General Psychiatry reported. Lead researcher Professor
Michael Kramer said: "Long-term, exclusive breastfeeding appears to improve children's
cognitive development." But he added: "Even though the treatment difference
appears causal, it remains unclear whether the observed cognitive benefits of
breastfeeding are due to some constituents of breast milk or are related to the
physical and social interactions inherent in breastfeeding." Fatty acids
found in breast milk are thought to boost intelligence, but the report said the
physical and emotional aspect of breastfeeding may lead to permanent changes to
brain development. The researchers also suggested breastfeeding may increase
verbal interaction between mother and child, which in turn could aid their development.
Nonetheless Professor Kramer said more efforts should be made to promote
breastfeeding. In England, the government recommends mothers breastfeed
exclusively for the first six months. But research shows while three quarters
start off breastfeeding, just one in four are still doing it by six months.
Rosie Dodds, of the National Childbirth Trust, said: "This research certainly
increases the evidence about the impact of breastfeeding. "And I think
what we now need is more effort put into supporting it." Where
to next? | 
