Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 23, 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

1.1K

Effect of Breastfeeding Duration on Cognitive Development in Infants: 3-Year Follow-up Study

Hyungmin Lee1, Hyewon Park2, Eunhee Ha3

  • 1Department of Social and Child Welfare, Woosong University, Daejeon, Korea .

Journal of Korean Medical Science
|April 7, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Longer breastfeeding duration is linked to improved infant cognitive development. Breastfeeding for nine months or more showed significantly better mental development index scores in infants.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Cognitive development in early childhood is crucial for long-term outcomes.
  • Understanding the impact of infant feeding practices on cognitive trajectories is essential.
  • The Mothers' and Children's Environmental Health (MOCEH) study provides a valuable cohort for investigating these associations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the relationship between breastfeeding duration and cognitive development in infants.
  • To assess the impact of breastfeeding on the Mental Development Index (MDI) score.
  • To determine if a minimum duration of breastfeeding confers significant cognitive benefits.

Main Methods:

  • A multi-center birth cohort study in Korea involving 697 infants.
  • Infants were assessed at 12, 24, and 36 months using the Korean version of the Bayley Scales of Infant Development II (K-BSID-II).
  • Multiple linear regression analysis was employed to analyze the association between breastfeeding duration and MDI scores, adjusting for covariates.

Main Results:

  • A positive correlation was observed between breastfeeding duration and MDI scores.
  • Infants breastfed for nine months or longer demonstrated significantly better cognitive development compared to non-breastfed infants.
  • The duration of breastfeeding was a significant predictor of cognitive development in the first three years of life.

Conclusions:

  • Extended breastfeeding, particularly for nine months or more, is associated with enhanced cognitive development in infants.
  • These findings underscore the importance of promoting longer breastfeeding durations for optimal infant brain development.
  • The study contributes evidence supporting breastfeeding as a key factor in early cognitive trajectories.

Keywords:
BreastfeedingKorean Bayley Scales of Infant Development II (K-BSID-II)Mental Development Index

More Related Videos

Assessing Cellular Stress and Inflammation in Discrete Oxytocin-secreting Brain Nuclei in the Neonatal Rat Before and After First Colostrum Feeding09:12

Assessing Cellular Stress and Inflammation in Discrete Oxytocin-secreting Brain Nuclei in the Neonatal Rat Before and After First Colostrum Feeding

Published on: November 14, 2018

8.3K
Experience is Instrumental in Tuning a Link Between Language and Cognition: Evidence from 6- to 7- Month-Old Infants' Object Categorization05:35

Experience is Instrumental in Tuning a Link Between Language and Cognition: Evidence from 6- to 7- Month-Old Infants' Object Categorization

Published on: April 19, 2017

7.1K

Related Concept Videos

Development of Human Microbiota01:30

Development of Human Microbiota

The human microbiota begins developing at birth and undergoes continual change as we age. Infancy marks a critical period of microbial sensitivity, offering a “window of opportunity” during which beneficial microbes help mature the immune system. By age three, children typically develop a more stable and diverse microbial community. Newborns acquire microbes from their immediate environment; vaginal delivery favors maternal vaginal microbes, while cesarean births favor microbes from...
9
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...
2.3K
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...
1.1K
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...
564
Information Processing Approach01:30

Information Processing Approach

The information-processing theory of cognitive development centers on fundamental mental processes, including attention, memory, and problem-solving skills. Researchers in this field examine how cognitive abilities, such as working memory, evolve and influence children's overall development. Studies indicate that children with stronger working memory tend to excel in reading comprehension, math, and problem-solving compared to peers with less efficient memory skills. Low working memory is...
734
Cognitive Development During Adulthood01:30

Cognitive Development During Adulthood

Cognitive development continues throughout adulthood, undergoing significant shifts across early, middle, and late stages. Individual transition occurs from adolescent idealism to pragmatic and adaptable thinking in early adulthood. During this period, individuals learn to integrate personal beliefs with the recognition that other perspectives are equally valid. Exposure to the complexities of modern society, diverse experiences, and higher education contribute to this adaptive thought process,...
1.1K