There are many advantages to breast feeding - to mother and baby. These include the effect of colostrum on immunity, fewer diarrhoeal diseases, the benefits of omega 3 fatty acids on visual developments in small infants, as well as improved bonding and less breast diseases later. It remains unclear whether the child's intelligence is affected by breast feeding, although it remains an unequaled way of providing ideal nutrition.
To look at the effect of breast feeing on IQ, Der et al defined the known variables in over 5 000 children and teased out factors such as education, race, wealth, smoking, birth order, birth weight and home environment (BMJ 2006;333:945-8). In general, breast-fed babies scored four points higher in testing than formula-fed infants, but almost all this effect was attributable to the mother's IQ. In other words, inheriting the mother's cognitive abilities was more important than being fed her breast milk as measured by intelligence tests.
These findings can be used to reassure mothers who cannot breast feed, but in no way detract from the many other plus factors which should persuade as many women to breast feed as possible for at least six months.
