Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 4, 2026

A Common Marmoset Model of Mother-Infant Intervention for Breastfeeding Disorders in the Presence of Paternal Inhibition and Maternal Neglect
05:04

A Common Marmoset Model of Mother-Infant Intervention for Breastfeeding Disorders in the Presence of Paternal Inhibition and Maternal Neglect

Published on: September 22, 2023

1.3K

Breastfeeding and trajectories of children's cognitive development

Jin Huang1, Kristen E Peters, Michael G Vaughn

  • 1School of Social Work, College for Public Health and Social Justice, Saint Louis University, USA.

Developmental Science
|January 14, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Breastfeeding is linked to higher cognitive test scores in children. However, the growth trajectories of cognitive development remain similar between breastfed and non-breastfed children over time.

Area of Science:

  • Child Development
  • Cognitive Science
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Breastfeeding is widely recognized for its health benefits.
  • The long-term impact of breastfeeding on cognitive development requires further investigation.
  • Understanding cognitive growth trajectories is crucial for early childhood interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between breastfeeding practices and cognitive development trajectories in children.
  • To determine if breastfeeding confers a lasting advantage in cognitive test scores.
  • To analyze the influence of breastfeeding on the rate of cognitive development over time.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized data from the Child Development Supplement (CDS) of the Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID).
  • Included variables on breastfeeding presence and duration.
  • Analyzed standardized test scores from three panel waves for 2681 children.

Main Results:

  • Breastfed children exhibited higher cognitive test scores compared to non-breastfed children, even after adjusting for covariates.
  • No significant differences were observed in the growth trajectories of cognitive test scores between the two groups over time.
  • The cognitive advantage associated with breastfeeding emerged early and persisted.

Conclusions:

  • Breastfeeding is significantly associated with higher cognitive test scores in children.
  • Early childhood cognitive differences linked to breastfeeding are not eliminated by later schooling or adolescent experiences.
  • Breastfeeding appears to establish an early cognitive advantage that is sustained throughout development.

More Related Videos

Profiling Maternal Behavior Responses During Whole-Brain Imaging07:12

Profiling Maternal Behavior Responses During Whole-Brain Imaging

Published on: January 24, 2025

1.5K
Author Spotlight: Implications of Non-Nutritive Sucking on Speech Emergence and Infant Development06:19

Author Spotlight: Implications of Non-Nutritive Sucking on Speech Emergence and Infant Development

Published on: April 19, 2024

1.8K

Related Concept Videos

Socioemotional Development during Infancy01:30

Socioemotional Development during Infancy

Socio-emotional development in infancy is primarily shaped by early emotional responses and social connections, with temperament playing a central role. Temperament refers to the consistent patterns in an individual's emotional and behavioral responses, observable even in infancy. By examining temperament, researchers can better understand an infant's unique ways of interacting with the world, influencing subsequent personality and socio-emotional growth.
Primary Temperament Types
1.4K
Cognitive Development During Adolescence01:18

Cognitive Development During Adolescence

During adolescence, individuals experience significant cognitive development that enhances their understanding of others' emotions and thoughts, known as cognitive empathy. This period is marked by an increased ability to adapt to others' perspectives and a more nuanced understanding of others' mental states, a skill that is foundational for social problem-solving and conflict avoidance. The development of cognitive empathy relies heavily on the theory of mind — the...
1.0K
The Nativist Approach01:21

The Nativist Approach

The nativist approach to infant cognitive development proposes that infants are born with inherent knowledge structures that allow them to interpret the world almost immediately. This perspective contrasts with earlier developmental theories, such as those proposed by Jean Piaget, which emphasized a more gradual acquisition of cognitive abilities through interaction with the environment. One key concept in this approach is object permanence — the understanding that objects continue to...
644
Three Developmental Domains01:29

Three Developmental Domains

Human development is typically examined across three main domains: physical, cognitive, and socio-emotional. These domains represent the significant areas of change and continuity throughout the lifespan, from infancy to late adulthood.
Physical Development
Physical processes, also known as maturation, encompass the biological changes that occur across an individual's life. These changes begin with genetic inheritance and continue through various stages, including growth in height and weight,...
1.6K
Piaget's Stage 1 of Cognitive Development01:14

Piaget's Stage 1 of Cognitive Development

The sensorimotor stage, the initial phase of Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development, spans the first two years of a child's life. During this period, infants actively engage with their surroundings, building cognitive awareness through direct interaction with the world. This interaction is primarily based on sensory perception and motor actions, allowing infants to gradually understand basic physical properties and predict how objects interact within their environment.
Exploration...
2.7K
Environmental Influences on Intelligence01:29

Environmental Influences on Intelligence

Despite the strong genetic influence on traits like intelligence, environmental factors significantly shape outcomes. For example, while over 90% of height variation is due to genetic differences, environmental factors such as nutrition also have a notable impact. Similarly, for intelligence, changes in a child's surroundings can significantly alter their IQ. Research shows that enriched environments boost children's academic success and help them develop key cognitive skills. Children...
1.2K