International
An Israeli study of the benefits of breastfeeding for children's development found kids who were breastfed for at least six months were less likely to experience developmental delays than kids who weren't breastfed at all or were breastfed for less than six months. The first part of the study looked at data from 570,532 kids, 20,642 of whom were breastfed for at least six months. The breastfed kids experienced fewer delays in language, social and movement development, compared with children breastfed for less than six months, the scientists say. The second part of the study looked at data from 37,704 pairs of siblings. One of each pair was breastfed for at least six months, while the other was not. The researchers found kids who were breastfed for at least six months were less likely to experience developmental delays or be diagnosed with neurodevelopmental conditions, compared with their sibling with less than six months of breastfeeding or no breastfeeding. The findings support recommendations to breastfeed babies to benefit their health, the authors conclude.
From:
Breastfeeding Duration and Child Development
About The Study: Exclusive or longer duration of breastfeeding was associated with reduced odds of developmental delays and language or social neurodevelopmental conditions in this cohort study. These findings may guide parents, caregivers, and public health initiatives in promoting early child development.
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