Does Breast Feeding Make you Smarter?

rhamilton's picture
Submitted by rhamilton on November 29, 2006 - 4:23pm.

In an extensive metaanalysis published in the BMJ (333:945-948, 2006) Der et al provide compelling evidence that the answer is “no.” Breast-fed babies are smarter than non-breast-fed babies but these relatively small differences are accounted for by characteristics of the children’s mothers and their homes. It seems that breast feeding mothers are more intelligent than non-breast feeding moms. There are many reasons to advocate breast feeding but impact on intellect isn’t one of them

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croy's picture

Breast feeding and cognitive function

Submitted by croy on January 5, 2007 - 8:49pm.

I read Hamilton' s blog which dismisses the effect of breast feeding on the basis of a meta analysis of studies carried out in full term infants from developed countries and published in the BMJ. The conclusions do not apply to LBWs nor to newborns from developîng countries. Furthermore,duration of breast feeding was not taken into account. Claude Roy

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ncharpak's picture

Breastfeeding in developing countries

Submitted by ncharpak on April 2, 2007 - 4:53pm.

It is known that the best source of nutrition for a healthy term newborn infant is his/her own mother’s milk. There is a wide consensus in the literature about the advantages of breast feeding during at least the first year of life. These include biological (nutritional and immunological) and psychological benefits. In less developed countries, where economic constrains and poor hygienic conditions in food preparation can play a major role, the importance of breast feeding is even greater for preserving the health and well being of infants.
But on the other hand, premature and LBW infants, regardless of whether they are born, in a developed or a developing country, have the same kind of increased nutritional requirements. This paper published in the BMJ is rigourous, well done and the same authors claim in their conclusion that the generalisability of their results must be considered carefully
Anyway there are enough evidences on benefits of breastfeeding in developed and developing countries to promote it and to accept that perhaps the argument that “breatsfeeding make you smarter” is probably not the right one.

Nathalie Charpak
Pediatrician
Director
Kangaroo Foundation
Bogota, Colombia

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