|
BREASTFEEDING AND INTELLIGENCE
June
1999
Back
Breastfeeding
provides substances that are nutritionally perfect
for human babies and protects them from illness.
These are needed for growth and development of
the infant's rapidly growing brain and central
nervous system. It also provides the loving interaction
that forms the basis for establishing the child's
personality and learning readiness. Breastmilk
is the foundation of food security for all the
babies of the world and is one of the world's
most valuable, renewable natural resources. It
is produced by women everywhere and indeed is
the only food equally available to rich and poor
alike.
Breastfeeding and later Cognitive and Academic
outcomes
(Horwood LJ and Fergusson DM. Pediatrics 101:e9,
January 1998) This study examines the association
between the duration of breastfeeding and childhood
cognitive ability and academic achievements over
the period from 8 to 18 years. Increasing duration
of breastfeeding was associated with consistent
and statistically significant increases in (1)
intelligence quotient (IQ) assessed at ages 8
and 9 years (2) reading comprehension, mathematical
ability, and scholastic ability assessed during
the period from 10 to 13 years (3) teacher ratings
of reading and mathematics assessed at 8 and 12
years and (4) higher levels of attainment in school
leaving examinations.
Breastmilk
and subsequent intelligence quotient in children
born premature
(Lucas, A et al. Lancet 339:261-264, 1992)
A follow up British study of premature infants
reports the intelligence quotients results of
8-year-olds who had been fed their own mother's
milk after birth. The children who had received
their mother's milk had a significantly higher
IQ at ages 7.5 to 8 years than children who did
not receive breastmilk.
Neurological
differences between 9 year-old children fed breast-milk
or formula as babies.
(Lanting, CI et al. Lancet: 344:1319-1322,
1994) A Dutch retrospective study revealed
that children fed with artificial milk exclusively
or supplemented to breastmilk within the first
three weeks of life were found to have twice the
rate of minor neurological dysfunction as compared
to children fully breastfed at least for the first
21 days of life. Possible mechanisms suggested
include the psychosocial features of breastfeeding,
the beneficial effects maternal hormones (such
as the thyroid stimulating hormones) secreted
through breastmilk and of essential long chain
fatty acids (arachidonic, docosahexaenoic) known
to be present in breastmilk and missing in most
artificial baby milks.
Breastfeeding
for Optimal Mental Development
de Andraca I, Uauy R, Simopoulos AP, Dutra
de Oliveira JE and Desai ID (eds): Behavioral
and Metabolic Aspects of Breastfeeding. World
Rev.Nutr Diet, Basel, Karget, 1995, vol. 78-001-27.
The study concludes that "special fatty acids"
in breastmilk lead to increased intelligence quotients
(IQs) and better visual acuity.
Influence
of breastfeeding on the infant's intellectual
development
(Temboury, MC et al. J Pediatric Gastroenter
Nutr 18:32-36,1994) A prospective Spanish
study says that breastfeeding acts as "protective
mechanisms for the mother and child in an adverse
environment" and that breastfeeding itself "improves
the mother-child relationship and the infant's
stimulation."
How
does breastfeeding helps the child's intelligence?
The ongoing research shows that breastfeeding
is not only important for health, nutrition and
the development of the child but also enhances
brain development and learning readiness as well.
By the age of six, when children generally start
school, most of the brain's neural connections
are already made. For the scientific evidence
in its favour see box on Page 1.
Do
you think that education is the best investment
for life?
All over the world there is increasing knowledge
and concern about early child development and
"significant interactions" in the family. There
is widespread interest in improving the quality
of child care and in integrating knowledge about
the needs of the developing child into our education
systems and curriculum.
Why
provide breastfeeding education?
Developing critical thinking skills and applying
them to breastfeeding issues helps children, youth
and adults examine the advantages and disadvantages
of various feeding practices, form their own opinions
and make informed choices. Learners become aware
of pressures from advertisers who promote bottle-feeding,
of how careers and breastfeeding can go together
and the kind of support breastfeeding women need
from society and employers. They will be better
able to make informed decisions in their own lives.
When
to provide breastfeeding education?
Formal and informal education gives children,
youth and adults numerous opportunities to obtain
correct information about breastfeeding. Breastfeeding
information can be easily incorporated into subjects
such as science, biology, family studies, nutrition,
and home economics.
Why
should breastfeeding education be introduced early?
A comprehensive approach to learning for life
includes helping children develop the literary,
numerical and psychosocial skills and the knowledge
base that will equip them to be active and effective
participants in the events of their lives. In
this approach to learning, teachers and students
need to relate in new ways, so that the classroom
experience - the very process of learning - becomes
a preparation for life. The participatory methodology
is the best way for learning new things and this
methodology should be adapted in education from
the pre nursery school onwards.
What
should we teach about breastfeeding?
It is important to include basic messages about
breastfeeding (e.g., breastfeeding is the normal
way for babies to eat, and the mother should not
be shy to breastfeed her child freely anywhere).
This
Fact Sheet is a publication of Breastfeeding
Promotion Network of India (BPNI)
Written & Compiled - Dr. Arun Gupta &
Mrs. Jessy George
For additional information or questions, please
contact BPNI
BP-33, Pitampura, Delhi-110 034
Ph: 7443445, Fax: 91-11-7219606, E-mail: ritarun@nda.vsnl.net.in
Back
|
Acrobat
Reader