Children Breastfed for Over Six Months Have Lower Risk of Developmental Delays

"At Least Six Months of Exclusive Breastfeeding"
Lower Risk of Delays in Language and Motor Development
WHO Recommends Exclusive Breastfeeding for the First Six Months

A study has found that children who were exclusively breastfed for at least six months after birth have a generally lower risk of developmental delays compared to those who were not.

On the 25th (local time), Dr. Inbal Goldstein and her team at the KI Research Institute in Israel published their findings in the American Medical Association journal JAMA Network Open. They analyzed breastfeeding records and child development test data of over 570,000 children in the United States. The study examined the association between breastfeeding and developmental indicators using data from 570,532 healthy infants born at 35 weeks of gestation or later between January 2014 and December 2020 (51.2% male), including breastfeeding status and duration, as well as developmental test results conducted at least once between ages 2 and 3.

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The results showed that children who were exclusively breastfed for at least six months had about a 27% lower risk of delays in language, social development, and motor development indicators compared to those breastfed for less than six months. Compared to children who were fed both breast milk and formula, the risk was about 14% lower. Additionally, when comparing 37,704 pairs of siblings with different breastfeeding durations, children who were exclusively breastfed for at least six months had approximately a 27% lower risk of being diagnosed with neurodevelopmental disorders than their siblings who were not breastfed or breastfed for less than six months. The risk of developmental delays was also about 9% lower.

The research team explained, "In studies on child development, it is important to exclude confounding variables that may distort the association with feeding methods," adding, "This study identified an independent association between breastfeeding and developmental indicators." They further noted, "This research shows that exclusive or prolonged breastfeeding is associated with a reduced risk of developmental delays and language and social development disorders," and "The findings may contribute to promoting early development in infants through breastfeeding."

Meanwhile, infancy is considered a critical period for promoting healthy physical and cognitive development through modifiable factors such as nutrition. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, followed by continued breastfeeding along with appropriate complementary foods for up to two years or beyond.