Breastfed Babies Have Less Number of Behavioral Issues in Later Life

In yet another thumbs-up to breast feeding, a new study conducted by a group of British researchers has revealed that those babies who have been breast fed for at least four months develop fewer behavioral problems later in their lives. The researchers used data from the ongoing Millennium Cohort Study in which more than 10,000 babies of white ethnic background took part. The mothers were interviewed by the researchers first when the baby was nine months old and subsequent interviews took place every two years since 2000.

The parents were asked to fill out a questionnaire detailing any behavioral problems exhibited by the babies and the researchers found that among those who had been breast fed for at least four months, just over 4 percent exhibited behavioral problems compared to 16 percent of those who were given formula milk.

Commenting on the study, which has been published in the journal Archives of Disease in Childhood, lead researcher Maria Quigley said, “Our results provide even more evidence for the benefits of breastfeeding. We just don't know whether it is because of the constituents in breast milk, or the close interaction with the mum, or whether it is a knock-on effect of reduced illness in breastfed babies.”


Source-Medindia