On the positive relationship between breastfeeding & intelligence

Bibliographic Data

ID9787574
AuthorsBrian B Boutwell (0000-0003-1649-5311, corresponding author), Jacob T N Young (0000-0002-5540-0664), Ryan C Meldrum (0000-0002-3493-6283)
Year2018
Volume54
Issue8
Pages1426-1433
Publication date2018-08-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueDevelopmental Psychology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0012-1649 • E-ISSN: 1939-0599
PublisherAmerican Psychological Association (APA) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1037/dev0000537
PMID29952603
OpenAlexW2809829786
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited10

A wealth of literature has examined the association between breastfeeding and the development of cognitive abilities in childhood. In particular, at least some evidence exists suggesting that breastfed children perform better on measures of intelligence later in life. Although a correlation appears to be present, fewer observational studies have included appropriate adjustment for potentially confounding variables; maternal intelligence, maternal education, and cognitive stimulation provided by mothers being chief among them. As a result, we analyze a national sample of approximately 790 American respondents to test the association between breastfeeding and intelligence during childhood and adolescence using multiple intelligence tests and controlling for a range of key covariates. Our results suggest that the correlation between breastfeeding throughout the first six months of life and intelligence is statistically significant and consistent, yet of substantively minor impact. (PsycINFO Database Record

Association (psychology · Breastfeeding · Cognition · Cognitive development · Confounding · Developmental psychology · Intelligence quotient · MEDLINE · Observational study · Psychiatry · PsycINFO · Breastfeeding Practices and Influences · Child Nutrition and Feeding Issues · Clinical Psychology · Infant Development and Preterm Care · Medicine · Psychology · Pediatrics

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