Breast milk makes kids brighter, study suggests

cnn ^ | 1/2002

[The Raven]

CHICAGO (CNN) -- Children who were breast-fed when they were babies perform better in school and score higher on standardized math and reading tests, a new study suggests.

The study, published Monday in the January issue of Pediatrics, was based on a review of more than 1,000 children born in New Zealand in 1977 and followed through age 18.

[The Raven]

[dc-zoo]

I'm sure it does a lot for grown men too.

[VeritatisSplendor]

Although the conclusion of this study seems likely to be true on theoretical grounds, the study is methodologically unsound. They controlled for maternal age, education, and wealth, but they did NOT control for maternal IQ because they did not test the mothers, they only interviewed the children!

It is well-known that breast milk is best for physical health. Given 2 mothers of similar age, education, and income, the smarter of the two is more likely to have learned, retained, and acted upon this fact. That would account for breast-fed babies seeming smarter in this study. They probably ARE smarter, but this study doesn't prove it.

[GailA]

Have you ever read the label on a can of forumla 53% sugar on the leading brand enfamil. No wonder kids have a weight problem starting in infancy.

[PLK]

It's only a matter of time before college applications include a question about breast feeding history.

Were you breastfed as an infant?
yes ___
no ___

If yes, how long?
< 4 months ___
4-7 months ___
> 8 months

Sheesh!

[pops88]

In the early 1980's I started working in Newborn ICU. I remember formula being discussed during orientation and the statement being made that there were no long term studies on the effects of formula on brain development. That was one of the reasons breastmilk was prefered for feedings.

[johniegrad]

Another confounding factor not controlled for in the study is the level of maternal involvement. The study assumes that breastfeeding and non-breastfeeding mothers maintain the same level of contact with their children. It may very well be that women who breastfeed for the length of time used in the study may be more likely to spend more time in intimate circumstances with their children. I suspect they also probably spend more time with them on their laps reading to them, following them around the house, and teaching them.

The only conclusion that can be drawn from the study is that children who were breastfed in the fashion of the study had higher IQs as young adults. The study does not justify the headline of the article. The breast milk may or may not be the cause.

[knuthom]

It seems that every couple of years a "new" amino acid, fatty acid, of some other component is added to formula as researchers discover more benefits of the original food intended to promote optimal infant development. Why would any one want to take the risk of feeding their developing child a completely artificial food and hope they have everything included?

[AmericaUnited]

40-50% corn syrup. Absolutely disgusting!

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

My wife found it convenient at church to refer to a footnote in her bible (see Genesis 21:8) indicating that Hebrew women of O.T. times nursed their children for roughly 3 years . . . which is about how long my wife did it.

Come to think of it, our 3 children are pretty close to 4 years apart . . .

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

The breast milk may or may not be the cause.

In other words, it may be a placebo effect.
Do we actually care which it is?
We want the effect however it may be obtained.

And if in fact it is a placebo effect, that simply means that

no formula will ever produce it.

A stronger case, ironically, for breast-feeding!

[independentmind]

It is well-known that breast milk is best for physical health. Given 2 mothers of similar age, education, and income, the smarter of the two is more likely to have learned, retained, and acted upon this fact. That would account for breast-fed babies seeming smarter in this study. They probably ARE smarter, but this study doesn't prove it.

I would think that the mother's diet would also have a direct effect on the intelligence of the child. Could it be that wealthier, better educated women also eat more nutritiously and therefore produce healthier babies and healthier breast milk?

[noah]

Guess I'll just have to start drinking it again after 60 years. Where Can I get some---REAL FRESH-- I'm just not TOOO bright right now,but if I get some I'll improve real fast. Also will to pay for FRESHNESS!!!

[AmericaUnited]

The creator created the best food for newborn creations.

Just amazing...NOT!

[moyden]

Breast-fed infants are not in daycare.

[browardchad]

Another confounding factor not controlled for in the study is the level of maternal involvement

Maternal involvement is key, but I would hazard a guess that this study was sponsored by a either a commercial interest that manufactures DHA, or by infant formula manufacturers (see below) and the maternal involvment factor was therefore ignored, for obvious reasons -- the marketing or development of DHA is not helped by the possibility that non-breast-feeding mothers might achieve the same affect by simply being nurturing, attentive mothers.

From an April 8 press release by the American Chemical Society:

Last year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the addition of DHA in infant formulas sold in this country. DHA-supplemented formula is already available in about 60 countries around the world, Kyle said. Earlier this year, the two major manufacturers of infant formulas sold in the United States announced plans to introduce DHA-supplemented formulas for the U.S. market.

[MarMema]

The breast milk may or may not be the cause.

I had the same thoughts. Attachment could be the real issue here.

[johniegrad]

You missed the entire point.

[SevenDaysInMay]

Yummie. Proper diet with micro-nutrients for the infant, and often vitamin O for the mother...

Breasts are so good, they're packaged in pairs. Lactating ladies are naturally feminine.

[doberville]

Have you ever tasted human milk?