Reason Why We Must Breasfeed: Effect on I.Q

Breast milk is very important for a newborn. It is considered the most balanced foods available for normal newborns and infants. Breast milk is sterile, easily digested, and nonallergenic. It contains maternal antibodies that protect against many early childhood
illnesses and lipids that stimulate early brain development.

A New Research has shown that breast milk has tremendous short and long time effect on the child development up till adulthood. The study, in the April issue of Lancet Global Health, began in 1982 with 5,914 newborns. Then 3,493 of the original group of newborns were interviewed thirty years later.

It was discovered that people who breastfed for 12 months or more have higher I.Q scores, more educational performances and years. Those who breastfed for a month or less are not so lucky. Other factors such as maternal education and smoking, family income, birth weight were also considered.

However the author Bernardo Lessa Horta, (associate professor at the Federal University of Pelotas in Brazil) added “It isn’t only breast-feeding that affects I.Q. and income. But our study does show that breast-feeding is important and should be encouraged.”