How does breastfeeding improve cognitive ability in children?

Analysis of almost 6,000 children has found that breastfeeding helps brain development for disadvantaged mothers’ babies

CREDIT: This is an edited version of an article that originally appeared in the Guardian

This UK study is one of the first to conclude that breastfeeding improves children’s cognitive skills, specifically in children with disadvantaged mothers. In the study these babies do 8% better in cognitive tests up to the age of seven – if they were breastfed for at least three months – than those who were bottle-fed. The findings provide further evidence that breastfeeding is beneficial for children. Previous studies had mainly linked breast milk to physical health. 

The research was undertaken by Professors Emla Fitzsimons and Marcos Vera-Hernandez from University College London. They analysed data on a nationally representative sample of babies whose mothers left school before turning 17 and who had a natural or low-risk birth. Professor Fitzsimons described the findings as “statistically significant”.

For example, at the age of three breastfed children scored, on average, 9.88 points more at using ‘expressive language’ – in which they were shown pictures of objects and asked to name them – above the average of 70.4 points. Three-year-old breastfed children also scored an average 8.3 points more for ‘school readiness’ – command of core skills involving literacy and numeracy – than the average among all children of that age which is 22.2.

Better-off women are more likely to breastfeed. The UK-wide Infant Feeding Survey of 2010 found that only 30% of women who left full-time education at the ages of 17 or 18 had breastfed their child for at least four months, whereas 56% of those who left after 18 did so.

Clare Livingstone from The Royal College of Midwives has urged the NHS to improve breastfeeding support. “There is substantial and growing evidence around the health benefits of breastfeeding for both mother and baby, and on the baby’s cognitive development.  

“Not everyone can – or chooses to – breastfeed and other influences, including socioeconomic and education factors, also play a part. It is a complex picture but, undoubtedly, mothers’ access to breastfeeding support is crucial”.