Previous studies on intelligence and breastfeeding have come up with conflicting results. Canada's McGill University found breastfed babies ended up performing better in IQ tests by the age of six. Long-term, exclusive breastfeeding appears to improve children's cognitive development.
Fatty acids found in breast milk are thought to boost intelligence, but the report said the physical and emotional aspect of breastfeeding may lead to permanent changes to brain development. The researchers also suggested breastfeeding may increase verbal interaction between mother and child, which in turn could aid their development. Nonetheless Professor Kramer said more efforts should be made to promote breastfeeding.
Some 90% of people carry the version of the gene which was associated with better IQ scores in breastfed children. A single gene influences whether breastfeeding improves a child's intelligence. Children with one version of the FADS2 gene scored seven points higher in IQ tests if they were breastfed. But the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences study found breastfeeding had no effect on the IQ of children with a different version.
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