Exclusive prolonged breast-feeding linked to improved cognitive development

Exclusive prolonged breast-feeding linked to improved cognitive development

The Archives of General Psychiatry just published results from the largest randomized trial ever conducted in the area of human lactation. The aim of the study compared IQ scores and academic ratings in reading, writing, mathematics and other subjects in children who were exclusively breastfed for 6 months and to 12 months of age. Their results showed that those children who met the breastfeeding criteria had higher IQ’s than those children who did not.

The study encompassed over 17,000 children followed over a 9 year time span. Compared to control groups the breastfeeding group had higher means on all measurements of IQ and teacher ratings. The verbal IQ was 7.5 points higher, the performance IQ was 2.9 points higher and the full scale IQ was 6 points higher. The authors state that “these results provide strong evidence that prolonged and exclusive breastfeeding improves children’s cognition development.”

In our office I encounter the question all the time of when to introduce solid foods. Every time I answer 6 months, someone tells me their “other” doctor told them that they could start at 4 months. In my previous newsletters I’ve sent out studies showing that if we introduce solid foods before the age of 6 months the incidence of food allergies rise. It is at six months, at not before, that the nutritional demands of a newborn child change so that solid foods needs to be introduced. It is also the time that the intestines have properly formed the barrier lining and all the required digestive enzymes are present. This study just adds to my pile that again backs up the notion that when possible please exclusively breast feed your child until 6 months of age. This study did look at exclusive breastfeeding for shorter periods but found no positive correlation. Again, exclusively breastfeed when possible (there are always exceptions, so just try your best) until 6 months of age, and do not wean your child from breast milk until 12 months of age.

References:

Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2008;65:578-584