LLLI Center for Breastfeeding Information

Journal Abstract of the Month for June 2002

"The association between duration of breastfeeding and adult intelligence." E. L. Mortensen et al. Journal of the American Medical Association 2002-5-8;287(18):2365-71

This paper examined two Danish populations independently: The Copenhagen Perinatal Cohort and those who participated in the Danish Military Draft Board IQ test during a specific time frame The outcome shows a robust association between the duration of breastfeeding, up to nine months, and adult intelligence, in two non overlapping samples, assessed with two different measures of intelligence. Three explanations are provided for the positive association between breastfeeding and cognitive development:

1. Differences between human milk and infant formula or other complementary goods (breast milk may contain nutrients that stimulate brain development).
2. Physical and psychological contact between mother and child
3. Unidentified factors correlating with infant feeding methods and development of intellectual ability.

This is the first study that has measured the effects of breastfeeding into the subjects' late teens and twenties. The results indicate that breastfeeding may have a long-term positive effect on cognitive and intellectual development. One of the authors, June Machover Reinisch, stated, "The evidence is growing that breast-feeding is among the most important lifelong benefits a mother can give to her child."

The Center for Breastfeeding has categorized this article with the following keywords:

Duration, IQ, Exclusive Breastfeeding, Extended Breastfeeding, HM-Nutritive Value, DHA, LCPufa