Science Breastfeeding can seemingly counteract hyperactivity in early childhood

Prolonged breastfeeding may reduce the hyperactivity of young children
Breastfeeding has many health benefits for the development of children. These include, for example, a reduced risk of infection and a lower probability of overweight later in life. In addition, a new study showed that children who were breastfed for longer breastfeeding showed less hyperactive behavior at a younger age.

Benefits through longer breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is considered to be the best nutrition for a baby, because in breast milk are in optimal composition all the nutrients that the child needs in the first few months of life. Still, many mothers breastfeed their baby way too short. A new study by scientists at University College Dublin in Ireland shows that it can bring even more benefits to the breasts longer breast. Prolonged breastfeeding could therefore help to reduce hyperactive behavior in children.

Breastfeeding brings many health benefits. It is not only positive for the development of the child's immune system but, according to new research, could also help to temporarily reduce hyperactive children's behavior. (Image: taramara78 / fotolia.com)

Little influence on long-term cognitive development
Although research has shown that breastfeeding is beneficial for the development of the infant immune system and reduces the risk of overweight, it has little impact on the long-term cognitive development of children.

The latter was noted by researchers from University College Dublin in a recent study published in the April issue of the journal "Pediatrics".

To get their results, the researchers evaluated the data from around 8,000 families participating in the Growing Up in Ireland Longitudinal Infant Cohort study.

Lower rates of hyperactivity
It was 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, at the age of five, these differences were so small that, according to the experts, they were negligible.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics' website, healthychildren.org, the study authors conclude that their findings suggest that prolonged breastfeeding may help to reduce hyperactive behaviors in children show slight to moderate values ​​in the short term. However, these benefits will not be maintained in the medium term. (Ad)