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Posted on Sep 25, 2002, 2 p.m.
By Bill Freeman
Investigators have discovered that low birthweight infants who are breast-fed or are given breast milk in a bottle have a slightly higher IQ at 7-8 years old compared with children who are not given breast milk. The study also revealed that the duration of breastfeeding had a direct impact on IQ, with those who had received breast milk for 8 months or longer scoring an average of 6 points higher on verbal IQ tests.
Investigators have discovered that low birthweight infants who are breast-fed or are given breast milk in a bottle have a slightly higher IQ at 7-8 years old compared with children who are not given breast milk. The study also revealed that the duration of breastfeeding had a direct impact on IQ, with those who had received breast milk for 8 months or longer scoring an average of 6 points higher on verbal IQ tests. The authors concluded: These findings add to the growing body of evidence to suggest that breast feeding may have a small long-term benefits for child cognitive (intellectual) development. Experts overwhelmingly agree that breast milk is the best nutrition source for babies.
SOURCE/REFERENCE: Archives of Disease in Childhood, Fetal Neonatal Edition 2001; 84: F23-F27
