Results of a recent study have shown that children who are breastfed for 3-months or less tend to have a lower IQ than those who are given breast milk for 6-months or longer. Researchers found that 13-month old children who had been breastfed for at least 6-months had superior mental skills and their IQ was on average 8-points higher than their peers by the time they reached 5-years of age. Researchers believe that a neural growth factor that aids brain development, which is found in high quantities in human milk, may help to boost IQ. The team say their findings suggest that all mothers should try to breastfeed their children for between 6 and 12-months.
SOURCE/REFERENCE: Reported by www.thetimes.co.uk on the 22nd August 2001
