A Behavior Problem? Not MY Breastfed Child!

A study presented at the American Public Health Association’s 136th Annual Meeting & Exposition in San Diego shows that children who were breastfed have less behavioral problems and mental health issues during childhood than those who were not breastfed.

The researchers used the 2003 National Survey of Children's Health data from 102,353 interviews of parents and guardians on the health of their children. They found that parents of breastfed children were less likely to report concern for the child's behavior, and breastfed children were less likely to have been diagnosed with behavioral problems. These children were also less likely to have received mental health care. As an added bonus, parents of breastfed children were less likely to report concern about the child's learning abilities.

The lead researcher on the study, Katherine Hobbs Knutson, MD, states, "These findings support current evidence that breastfeeding enhances childhood intellectual ability while providing new evidence that breastfeeding may contribute to childhood emotional development and protect against psychiatric illness and behavioral problems."

Great news for all!