May 10, 2002 – Breastfeeding until the age of nine months is believed to increase the infant’s intelligence quotient as an adult. This is what reveals a Danish study, the results of which were published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).1
The study authors tested participants to assess their intelligence quotient (IQ). An initial group of men and women in their 20s used a test called the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale and a second group formed by adolescents the test adopted by the Danish military authorities.
After adjusting for variation factors such as parents’ social status, education, weight, and birth complications, among others, the researchers analyzed the results and found that they were influenced by length of birth. breastfeeding. People who were breastfed 7 to 9 nine months scored higher than others. Then follow those who have been breastfed for more than 9 months. The lowest results were for breastfeeding less than one month. However, it should be noted that even the lowest results remain within the normal range.
The researchers suggested that the difference between breast milk and other types of baby milk may contribute to these differences in results, with breast milk certainly containing nutrients that stimulate brain development. They also hypothesized that physical contact related to breastfeeding as well as the psychological relationship between mother and infant play a beneficial role for the child.
Currently, Health Canada recommends exclusive breastfeeding at least until the age of four months2 and WHO up to six months3 and both support breastfeeding combined with complementary food for at least two years.
Élisabeth Mercader – PasseportSanté.net
According to InteliHealth, May 8, 2002
1. Mortensen EL, Michaelsen KF, Sanders SA, Reinisch JM. The association between duration of breastfeeding and adult intelligence. JAMA 2002 May 8; 287 (18): 2365-71.
2. Health Canada. Nutrition for Healthy Term Infants. [Consulté le 9 mai 2002]. http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hppb/enfance-jeunesse/cyfh/homepage/nutrition/exec_f.html
3. World Health Organization. Exclusive Breastfeeding. [Consulté le 9 mai 2002]. http://www.who.int/child-adolescent-health/NUTRITION/infant_exclusive.htm
