Breastfeeding has little impact on the long-term cognitive development of children

Physicians examined the long-term benefits of breastfeeding
While the medicinal benefits of breastfeeding are relatively well-known for helping infants to prevent infections, long-term effects have not been studied in detail. Researchers now found that breastfeeding has little impact on long-term cognitive development and behavior.

Researchers at University College Dublin, Ireland, found that breastfeeding for newborns has little impact on long-term development and behavior. The physicians published the results of their study in the journal "Pediatrics".

Breastfeeding can bring short-term benefits for the children. Scientists examined in a study if and how long these benefits remain even at a later age. (Image: JenkoAtaman / fotolia.com)

Experts are examining nearly 7,500 children for their study
For the study, the experts examined 7,478 Irish children from the time they were nine months old. The children's health was then re-evaluated at the age of three and later at five, the authors explain.

Questionnaires should assess cognition and behavior
At three, the children's parents were asked to complete questionnaires about their offspring. It was about vocabulary and the children's problem-solving skills. That's how cognition and behavior should be judged, scientists say. At the age of five, parents had to answer the same questions again.

Benefits of breastfeeding were observed at the age of three years
In their study, the Irish researchers found that breastfeeding for a period of six months or more in children resulted in lower rates of hyperactivity and improved problem solving skills at the age of three years. However, these differences were so small at the age of five that they were negligible, say the experts.

Long-term benefits very little or nonexistent
The results of the study show that long-term benefits of breastfeeding are very low or not at all, explain the scientists. The long-term benefits of breastfeeding can certainly be influenced by socioeconomic factors such as education and income. However, once these effects are taken into account, the differences found between breastfed infants and non-breastfed infants are negligible, the authors add.

Nevertheless, there is another long-term benefit of breastfeeding?
Do children have any benefit from breastfeeding? The general answer is yes. The hard question is whether these benefits come from improved brain performance, or that the effect is due to better education and higher income.

Breastfeeding leads to a better relationship between mother and child
For many expectant mothers, the debate about breastfeeding leads to some ambiguity. Breastfeeding, however, has many benefits for the children. The key is an improved relationship and care between mother and child. Just enjoy the close relationship between mother and child, the researchers say. There should not be any doubt about breastfeeding if mothers are able to do so. (As)