Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 28, 2025

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

563

Associations between exclusive breastfeeding duration and children's developmental outcomes: Evidence from Siaya

Silas Onyango1,2,3, Elizabeth Kimani-Murage3, Patricia Kitsao-Wekulo3

  • 1Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland.

Plos One
|March 31, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) for 3-6 months in Kenya significantly boosts child development, particularly communication, gross motor skills, and problem-solving abilities. Continued EBF offers substantial benefits for early childhood development.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is promoted for child health and development.
  • Evidence on EBF's developmental benefits in Kenya during the first year is limited.
  • This study addresses the gap by examining EBF and early childhood development in Kenya.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To establish the association between exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) and early childhood developmental outcomes.
  • To investigate developmental benefits in Kenyan children under 6 months.
  • To provide evidence for programs promoting EBF.

Main Methods:

  • Data from a cluster-randomized controlled trial in Bondo, Kenya, were used.
  • Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) was the primary exposure variable.
  • Child development was measured using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire-Third Edition (ASQ-3).

Main Results:

  • Analysis included 570 children under 6 months.
  • EBF between 3-6 months was linked to 0.61 SD higher ASQ-3 scores (adjusted).
  • Significant associations were found in communication (0.44 SD), gross motor (0.34 SD), and problem-solving (0.36 SD) domains.

Conclusions:

  • Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) during 3-6 months shows positive associations with child development.
  • Communication, gross motor, and problem-solving domains showed the most significant improvements.
  • Promoting EBF in this period can yield substantial developmental benefits for children.
Abstract

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