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Duration of breast-feeding and Bayley's Mental Developmental Index at 1 year of age

B J Paine1, M Makrides, R A Gibson

  • 1Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Flinders University of South Australia, Australia.

Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health
|May 11, 1999
PubMed

Insights

Exclusive breastfeeding duration positively impacts boys' mental development by age one, but not girls'. Further research is needed to confirm these infant development findings.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Breastfeeding is recognized for its benefits to infant health and development.
  • Understanding the specific impact of exclusive breastfeeding duration on developmental outcomes is crucial for public health guidance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between the length of exclusive breastfeeding and developmental indices in infants at one year of age.
  • To determine if breastfeeding duration influences cognitive and psychomotor development.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort study of 96 healthy term infants aged 10-14 months was conducted.
  • Infants' development was assessed using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development (Mental and Psychomotor Indices).
  • Mothers provided retrospective data on breastfeeding duration and socio-demographic variables.

Main Results:

  • Exclusive breastfeeding duration significantly predicted higher mental development scores in boys (P < 0.005).
  • No significant association was found between breastfeeding duration and mental development scores in girls.
  • Breastfeeding duration did not predict psychomotor development scores in either gender.

Conclusions:

  • Exclusive breastfeeding duration may positively influence boys' mental development, suggesting a potential gender-specific effect.
  • These findings highlight the importance of considering gender in future research on infant development and breastfeeding.
  • Larger, prospective studies are recommended to validate these results and explore underlying mechanisms.
Abstract

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