Spanish scientists from Rovira University and Virgil have studied the impact of breastfeeding (BF) during infancy on children’s cognitive abilities in later life. The study was published in the scientific journal broadcasting International Journal of Early Childhood (IJEC).
The team focused on children ages 4-5.
The researchers used data from parents of 613 children born in 2013-2014 to assess the mental abilities of the preschool-aged children.
Results showed that children who were breastfed for one to eight months performed slightly better on several measures of cognitive ability compared to their non-breastfed peers.
Breastfed children had higher intelligence quotient (IQ), better working memory and nonverbal cognitive abilities, and also higher scores on a cognitive ability index.
The findings suggest that breastfeeding itself plays a critical role in improving cognitive development, beyond the influence of the family environment or maternal intelligence.
Earlier scientists was created A new baby food formula that increases the child’s IQ.