Breastfeeding linked to child intelligence

Source: Institute for Social & Economic Research

ISER Working paper 2010-40

Reported in several sources including:

Midwives, 14 March

Nursing Times, 18 March

Click here to read full text.

Date of publication: December 2010 (online)

In a nutshell: This working paper looks at the effect of breastfeeding on child cognitive development. It found that there is a “strong association between breastfeeding and cognitive outcomes”.

Publication type: Working paper

Length of publication: 27 pages

The effect of breastfeeding on children’s educational test scores at nine-years of age: Results of an Irish cohort study

Source: Social Science & Medicine

Social Science & Medicine, article in press, published online 21 March 2011, doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2011.03.002

Click here to read abstract.

Date of publication: March 2011

In a nutshell: This study examined the relationship between breastfeeding and children’s academic test scores at nine years.  It found that any amount of breastfeeding led to significantly higher test scores.

Publication type: Journal article

Length of publication: 7 pages

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UNICEF response to new research suggesting fatty acids not linked to intelligence

Source: UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative

Click here to read webpage.

Date of publication: January 2010

Publication type: New story

In a nutshell: UNICEF UK gives its response to new research regarding fatty acids and intelligence.  It points to previous research which suggests a link between breastfeeding and higher IQ.

Length of publication: 1 page