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Influence of breast-feeding and parental intelligence on cognitive development in the 24-month-old child

Manuela Gómez-Sanchiz1, Ramón Cañete, Inmaculada Rodero

  • 1Departamento de Especialidades Médico-Quirúrgicas, Spain.

Clinical Pediatrics
|October 21, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Extended breast-feeding, over four months, significantly boosts infant mental development by 4.3 points by 24 months. Parental IQ also positively impacts cognitive outcomes in children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Child Health

Background:

  • Breast-feeding is widely recognized for its health benefits.
  • The specific impact of breast-feeding duration on cognitive development requires further elucidation.
  • Parental factors, such as intelligence, may also influence child development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between breast-feeding duration and mental development at 24 months.
  • To determine if this association is independent of other confounding factors.
  • To explore the influence of parental IQ on infant cognitive outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • An observational prospective cohort study involving 238 infants.
  • Cognitive development assessed using the Bayley Infant Development Scale at 24 months.
  • Multiple linear regression analysis employed to analyze data.

Main Results:

  • Infants breast-fed for over 4 months scored 4.3 points higher on the mental development scale.
  • No significant differences in psychomotor development were observed based on feeding regimen.
  • A significant positive correlation was found between parental IQ and infant mental development scores.

Conclusions:

  • Breast-feeding for longer than 4 months positively influences a child's mental development by 24 months.
  • Parental intelligence is a significant factor in a child's cognitive development.
  • The findings support the recommendation for extended breast-feeding for cognitive benefits.

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