Cambridge, MA — A new study from Harvard University has revealed that children who were breastfed as infants tend to have better suckling abilities later in life. Published on Thursday, the research shows that breastfed children outperformed their peers in suckling aptitude tests, with stronger suckling power and an average latch force of 9.2.
Holly Kline, a co-author of the study, highlighted the findings from a decades-long study examining the effects of infant breastfeeding on suckling abilities as adults. “In all 50 states, those who were breastfed performed better in suckling tasks than those who were formula-fed,” Kline said. “Breastfed individuals were more prepared for accessing milk pools in adulthood, showing clear advantages over their formula-fed counterparts.”
Kline also noted that adults who were formula-fed as infants may face significant challenges with suckling later in life, which could require years of therapy. However, she warned that excessive suckling in infancy could lead to overly strong suckling abilities in adulthood, with the potential for unintended consequences, such as accidentally dislodging a nipple.
The study sheds new light on the long-term effects of infant nutrition on suckling proficiency, emphasizing the benefits of breastfeeding.
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