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Does breastfeeding have an effect on intelligence?

G Koren1

  • 1Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto.

Canadian Family Physician Medecin De Famille Canadien
|January 6, 2001
PubMed
Summary

Breastfeeding is linked to higher child intelligence, but this association may not prove causation. Socioeconomic factors, not just feeding method, influence cognitive development.

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Area of Science:

  • Pediatric nutrition
  • Developmental psychology
  • Public health

Background:

  • Concerns exist regarding the cognitive impact of formula feeding versus breastfeeding.
  • Societal beliefs often link breastfeeding to enhanced infant intelligence.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the scientific basis for claims that formula feeding negatively impacts infant intelligence.
  • To examine the relationship between infant feeding methods and child cognitive development.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent, well-controlled studies on infant feeding and cognitive outcomes.
  • Analysis of socioeconomic and educational factors of mothers choosing different feeding methods.

Main Results:

  • Studies show an association between breastfeeding and higher intelligence in young children.
  • More recent, controlled research suggests this association is not necessarily causal.
  • Maternal education and socioeconomic status are confounding factors that influence the observed association.

Conclusions:

  • The observed link between breastfeeding and higher child intelligence may be influenced by confounding factors.
  • After controlling for maternal education and socioeconomic status, the cognitive advantage associated with breastfeeding tends to diminish.
  • Formula feeding does not inherently cause lower intelligence; socioeconomic factors play a significant role in cognitive development.

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