Breastfeeding Linked to Higher IQs
Breastfeeding Linked to Higher IQs – A new study confirms the connection between breastfeeding in the early months of infancy and higher IQ.
Researchers from Boston Children’s Hospoital and Harvard University looked at data on over 1,300 babies who had been breastfed for at least six months. They tested the kids’ vocabulary at age 3 and their intelligence at age 7. At age 3, the children’s verbal scores were one fifth of a point higher for each month they were breastfed. At age 7, the children’s intelligence was one-third of a point higher for every month of breastfeeding.
Unlike previous studies, this one controlled for other factors that could affect the children’s intelligence, such as mother’s intelligence, parents’ income and education, even whether and for how long the babies were in day care.
Lead author Bernardo Lessa Horta of the Federal University of Pelotas in Brazil, says, “Our study provides the first evidence that prolonged breastfeeding not only increases intelligence until at least the age of 30 years but also has an impact both at an individual and societal level by improving educational attainment and earning ability.”
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)and the World Health Organization (WHO) already recommend that new moms breastfeed babies for six months and continue to breastfeed until a baby’s first birthday, but for reasons other than boosting intelligence, such as boosting immunity against viral and bacterial infections and SID (Sudden Infant Death syndrome). Now, there’s another reason for doing so.
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