Sophia Jalilvand: Study shows no long-term cognitive benefit to breastfeeding

Summary: It is clear that newborns gain strengthened immune systems and get stronger as a result of breastfeeding. However, a recent study has shown that there is no long-term benefit on cognitive behavior. It followed 7,478 Irish children and tested them at age three and five. Children who were breastfed for six months or more had lower rates of hyperactivity and improved problem-solving skills at age three, however the differences were almost unnoticeable at age five.

Analysis: It is interesting to see that breastfeeding does not actually have long-term health or social benefits. The original reason people thought this to be true was because people who breastfeed their children for longer periods of time generally have more education and a higher socioeconomic status, so their kid will likely turn out more successful as well.

Link: http://www.cnn.com/2017/03/27/health/breastfeeding-hyperactivity/index.html