Various Benefits of Breastfeeding
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A recent study has been published stating that children who were breastfed for at least 3 months were discovered to have higher intelligence scores than children who were not breastfed during these crucial years of development. According to the studies from the Archives of General Psychiatry, the breastfed children received better results in overall academics as well as verbal and non-verbal communication skills. This study’s findings confirm the beliefs of the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund that breastfeeding is not only more affordable but it greatly aids in the cognitive development of the child. Â |
The researchers involved in this project looked at 17,046 healthy infants and followed up with 13,889 of these same infants, 6.5 years later. At this point they studied the children’s teacher evaluations when it came to reading, writing and math as well as their IQ scoring. The children who were breastfed scored 7.5 points higher on the verbal testing, 2.9 higher on the non-verbal testing and 5.9 points higher when evaluating overall intelligence. Right now it is still not confirmed whether these cognitive qualities come from the breastfeeding itself or the qualities from the mother who make the choice to breastfeed.
IQ scoring and cognitive abilities are not the only benefits that can be received from breastfeeding. There are benefits that the mother can take advantage of as well. Milk from the mother can help prevent food allergies; constipation, digestive problems as well as protect the baby more effectively from infections and diseases at this early stage of life. Nursing can also promote a closer bond between mother and child as well as promote the healthy oral development through suckling needs.
Breastfeeding has benefits for the mother as well. For example, breastfeeding encourages the uterus to contract and return to its original size before the pregnancy and you are less likely to experience hemorrhaging from the placental site. Studies have also shown that breastfeeding can help reduce the onset of arthritis for women. Women who breastfed for a total of 12-23 months had a 30% decreased risk of developing arthritis in their lifetime.
It is important to note and realize here that breastfeeding is not easy for every mother and child but as long as you do everything you can to make this your number one option for feeding your newborn you are well on your way. Breastfeeding has so many benefits for both mother and child that it is hard to believe why some women choose an expensive formula when a woman’s body is perfectly built to sustain your new baby’s needs for up to 23 months. Any new mother should consider these benefits and promote health in your new baby as early as you can.
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Posted: May 20th, 2008 under Breastfeeding.
