is it true that breast-feeding makes ur baby smarter?

Answer 1

Yes, several studies have shown that there are small differences in IQ between breastfed and bottlefed babies.

Some of the differences may be counteracted by attentive bottle feeding in which the parents try to replicate the experience of breastfeeding with constant eye contact, skin to skin contact and co-sleeping.

That said, what you do with your IQ is up to each individual and mothers who must bottlefeed shouldn't feel guilty. That said, if you want to bottlefeed just for convenience, you might want to re-think as the benefits to health and intelligence can be measured.

Answer 2

Extensive research on the relationship between cognitive achievement (IQ scores, grades in school) and breastfeeding has shown the greatest gains for those children breastfed the longest. The omega 3 fatty acid called DHA which is present in breastmilk is believed to be a big reason for the higher IQ's that breastfed children are reported to have. DHA has now been added to some formulas....but YUCK if read how they did it! (Last link below.)

Human breast milk enhances brain development and improves cognitive development in ways that formula cannot. One study has found that the average I.Q. of 7 and 8 year old children who had been breastfed as babies was 10 points higher than their bottlefed peers. All of the children involved had been born prematurely and tube fed the human milk, indicating that the milk itself, not the act of breastfeeding, caused this difference in I.Q. level. Another study to support this statement was done in New Zealand. Here an 18 year longitudinal study of over 1,000 children found that those who were breastfed as infants had both higher intelligence and greater academic achievement than children who were infant-formula fed.

The links below will all be helpful to you in researching this topic.

Many studies have found that breastfeeding is associated with small but detectable increases in child cognitive ability and educational achievement. The effect is reflected in a wide range of measures which include standardized tests, teacher ratings and academic outcomes in high school.

Answer 3

There are a lot of benefits to breastfeeding. Some could argue that the added nutrients and other things could potentially make them smarter, but there are an awful lot of really smart people who where strictly bottle fed.

If you are trying to breast feed, don't stress too much about it. Your baby will be ok either way. If you need help, La Leche League is a good source for help.

Answer 4

This is a question many guess at but, it pays to know the facts. Yes, there are nutrients found in breast milk that are beneficial to the development of the brain. If you can not breastfeed choose a liquid formula. (Yes they are more expensive than powdered formula) Studies have found, similar to breast milk, proteins/nutrients in the liquid form of baby formulas that are beneficial to brain development. However these beneficial nutrients do not exist in the powdered version of baby formula.This is not to say that a babys brain will not develope properly if they are fed powdered formula. This is just the findings of a study showing certain nutrients can benefit brain development. Much like a multi vitamin can benefit your health.

Answer 5

Omega 3 fatty acids found in some fish make people brainy. I have 4 children and I have breast fed one longer than 3 others and she is no smarter or dumber than them. It may pass onto the baby if you ate salmon, sardines, mackerel and it flowed through in the milk but it is not proven. Nothing is ever really proven. It could be DNA, it could be a game of chance. Don't fret on this just enjoy your baby for who he or she is, they are who they are.

Answer 6

I heard a study done that they are healthier, happier and yes, I would say smarter. It's a better head start, but it's not going prove to do any better than a parent who is really involved with their childs education. I breast fed and gosh I want to brag about how smart they are!!! ;) But, it wasnt just mommies milk!!!

Answer 7

aside from making a breastfed baby smarter, mother's milk also makes a baby strong due to its immunity-boosting antibodies

Answer 8

It could, but I'd like to say the child I breastfed exlusively is not the smartest of my children. The boy I breastfed for about two months and then switched to formula (out of health necessity) is the smartest, followed by the other two fed similarly.

I think it does not matter as much as some people like to make one think.

Answer 9

I think the superior nutrition of mommy's milk makes it more likely that your individual baby will develop to his/her greatest potential -- all other things being equal.

Answer 10

I don't think that is necessarily true, I also dont' agree that breastfeeding makes your baby healthier and I breastfed my baby till she was 16 months old. I think people should just do what they feel is right, do what is comfortable for you.