A recent study from Israel suggests that breastfeeding, especially when exclusive and lasting at least six months, may reduce the risk of developmental delays and neurodevelopmental conditions in children.
The study, led by Inbal Goldshtein, PhD, from the KI Research Institute, found that children who were exclusively breastfed had a 27% lower risk of developmental delays, while those breastfed for at least six months had a 14% reduced risk compared to those breastfed for less than six months.
The research also analyzed 38,000 sibling pairs and found that siblings breastfed for six months or more were less likely to have developmental delays or neurodevelopmental conditions than those breastfed for shorter periods or not at all.
Among the 570,000 children studied, 6.5% had developmental delays, with 5.8% having language delays and 2.5% diagnosed with neurodevelopmental conditions.
Goldshtein emphasized the importance of breastfeeding, noting its potential long-term health benefits. The study carefully accounted for factors such as gestational age and maternal marital status, offering a clearer understanding of breastfeeding’s impact on cognitive development.
Dr. Ukachi N. Emeruwa from UC San Diego stressed that while some breastfeeding is better than none, cultural and healthcare differences could affect how these findings apply globally.
The study used data from Israeli health clinics and followed children born between 2014 and 2020, assessing developmental milestones at ages 2-3 years. Researchers acknowledged the limitations, such as not distinguishing between breastfeeding and pumped milk, and called for further research on the long-term benefits of breastfeeding.
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