Breastfeeding Makes A Child Smarter
By
on
May 7th, 2008
Print This Post
Email This Post
An extensive survey by McGill University (McGill University (2008, May 6). Breastfeeding Associated With Increased Intelligence, Study Suggests) concludes that breastfed children have a higher IQ than bottle fed kids.
Children who were breastfed exclusively for at least three months had better intelligence scores later in life than those who received formula, according to the largest study on the subject.
Children who were breastfed scored 7.5 points higher on verbal intelligence scores, 2.9 points higher on non-verbal intelligence scores and 5.9 points higher on tests measuring overall intelligence.
My question is, does this really matter?
I'm pro-breastfeeding and our kids both had boobie for about 13 months. But I never thought about IQ implications from breastfeeding. There are a number of other major health factors that I consider far more important.
This subject is always hotly debated. Problem is many women make very uneducated decisions regarding breastfeeding. They don't want to do it because a friend of a friend told them something which is completely untrue. Like "Don't breastfeed, it will give you cancer". If someone makes an educated decision to use formula I think people should respect that and leave them alone. This is clearly a problem for the many women of the "breastfeeding police". You know, the ones who talk trash about anyone who choose not to breastfeed.
But perhaps this will lead to something good. It's no secret rates of breastfeeding are too low in any country except Scandinavia. Maybe mothers will think IQ development is more important than other health factors and choose breastfeeding more often. It would be a win-win situation.
As much as I’d love to believe that my daughter will end up smarter just because I chose to breastfeed, I’m not sure it’s completely true. I’d like to know if “intelligence” correllates with breastfeeding independent of other factors, such as reading to the child, limiting TV exposure, and attachment parenting. Any one of these could boost intelligence, and breastfeeding moms are often more likely to practice them. Correllation does not imply causation, so for now I am just accepting that breastmilk, while certainly the best choice for us, is probably not magic smart juice.
Sadly, I am a breastfeeding cop. I never try to make a mom feel guilty, but it breaks my heart to see a baby barfing up formula when he could have had his mother’s milk. Sometimes it’s not even the mom’s fault. It’s tough to go against the grain of society and the way you were raised. The hospitals here give out formula as free prizes, and what message does that send?
Hmmmmm…I can be part of the “breastfeeding police” at times. I am a cerified lactation educator at our local hospital. Those times are really when a person thinks breatfeeding is gross or sexual. I have two close friends from college…one is choosing to breastfeed and the other did not breastfeed. Do I dislike my one friend any less? NO, I respect her decision. She listened to me about the benefits of breastfeeding and still believed that formula was the way to go. Part of me feels like I failed to change her mind, but again the decision was hers to make….not mine. I could write forever about boobies and babies. LOL
I am definetly NOT the breastfeeding police, though I have been breastfeeding for about 11 months now. Unfortunatly, as much as I’ve tried, I am apparently not giving my son enough weight (read my latest post on my reaction to THAT) so I am also doing formula on top of that.
You’re right, though. I almost didn’t breastfeed because when people talked about it, they made it seem weird. I felt like I wouldn’t be able to do it just because it would be too sexual. I am so glad I researched it and put the effort into doing it because even if it weren’t for all the benefits, I simply love the bonding.