Posted on 07/30/2013 5:13:56 AM PDT by don-o
Young children who were breastfed as infants scored higher on intelligence tests than formula-fed kids, and the longer and more exclusively they were breastfed, the greater the difference, say Harvard University researchers in a study published today in JAMA Pediatrics.
This study adds “to the body of literature of the association between duration of breastfeeding and cognition,” says NBC News diet and health editor Madelyn Fernstrom, Ph. D., CNS. But does breastfeeding make your child smarter? Fernstrom says this study shows an association, not cause and effect.
The researchers analyzed 1,312 expectant mothers enrolled between 1999 and 2002 in Project Viva, a study in eastern Massachusetts examining pregnancy and child health, and the children they delivered.
The researchers found that 7-year-olds whose moms had done any breastfeeding during the child’s first year - exclusively or in combination with formula - gained a little more than a third of a point in verbal IQ for each month of breastfeeding compared to children who were never breastfed. That means if the mom did any mix of breastfeeding for the entire 12 months, the gain would be 4.2 verbal IQ points.
The association between breastfeeding and intelligence was stronger when researchers broke out children whose moms exclusively breastfed during the first six months.
(Excerpt) Read more at nbcnews.com ...
What’s funny is that it used to be that those who had a high regard for the well being of their children would breastfeed. That high regard for their children resulted in higher IQ’s, simply from the parent paying attention to and spending time with, and inherently teaching their children.
Then, the left came along and said - “look, breastfeeding makes kids smarter! Let’s push everyone to do it!”.
Well, their program worked, and those who had a low “givadam” factor joined those with a high “givadam” factor, breastfeeding their children, but still neglecting them otherwise, and it exposed the lack of causative relationship of breastfeeding to IQ.
It’s funny how, later in life, the sight of a nice set of nourishing breasts tend to make men stupid.
I expanded on your very intelligent observation in 21.
You beat me to the punch with brevity, the soul of wit.
I myself was breastfed.....I’m 66 yrs. old and still can’t kick the habit.....is it covered under any of the twelve step programs..
How did "old" children do in this study?
I knew it was vain to hope for a thread that mentions “breast” without the juveniles chiming in. It’s a pity that Beavis and Butthead became role models.
We should get an expert opinion. Laz?
Or it may be that breast milk has a higher fat content then formula. Fat being important in brain development.
Duh...Boobies
There probably is SOME causation,
but I thought the point of this article is that the correlation has diminished,
pointing to another factor, and pointing out that, once again, the left’s attempt to manipulate people has failed to produce the outcomes they wanted.
Not with my mom, of course, that would be weird.
This has so many political ramifications. The “Formula Lobby” is a powerful one — on a global scale, and feminism loves the freedom accorded new mothers by Formula Feeding
“My Mom never breastfed me, she told me that she liked me as a friend.” - Rodney Dangerfield.
My comment is worthy of its own study. There is probably a stronger correlation between stupid adult male activity and the sight of healthy female breasts than there is between IQ and being breast fed. Thank you very much.
Some causation?
The only reason you argue against it is because the left pushes it.
Its how God intended us to feed our babies. Doesn’t mean bottle Moms are bad, just that God’s way is best.
Not to mention those strollers that lets them put the baby down once in a while. It's evil, I tell you.
/sarc
I nursed three children. My kids all have very high IQs. I do believe the nutrition is better and that does help brain chemistry. There are so many factors to a high IQ, but let’s be honest, most of it is genetic.
Tribal people still can’t build indoor plumbing or organize a civil society, and they are fed from the breast.
You know , no one told you that Free Republic was going to be like Sunday school and you should not expect it to be.
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