June 23, 2016.
According to a study published in the medical journal Plos One, babies breastfed during the first six months of their life have a 56% lower risk of presenting behavioral problems between the ages of 7 and 11.
A new benefit of breastfeeding
A new study has just shown the benefits of breastfeeding for children. This study, conducted by a team of researchers from the Humanities Research Council in Durban, South Africa, reveals that breastfeeding would not only protect babies from infectious diseases, it could also have a positive impact on the child’s behavior between 7 and 11 years old.
To reach these conclusions, the researchers studied the behavior of 1,500 children, 900 of whom were breast-fed. Results : children who had been breastfed by their mothers up to the age of six months had a 56% lower risk of developing behavioral problems, compared to those who had been breast-fed for less than a month.
Breastfed for 6 months and placed in a crèche
” The duration of exclusive breastfeeding of a newborn is much more important than previously thought for several aspects of child development Commented Dr. Tamsen Rochat, lead author of the study. “ Thus, conduct disorders in childhood can lead to aggressive and anti-social behavior. These affect learning and relationships with peers, and in turn can lead to self-esteem issues and mental health disorders. It can contribute to professional failures later in life. “, he added.
Also according to this study, children who would be in a crèche for at least a year would have a 74% more chance of being better structured intellectually. The nursery allows them to learn concentration and memorization, which makes it easier to carry out daily tasks.
Read also: To breastfeed or not? How to make a choice ?
