Breast Fed babies test higher on IQ test

jesirose · #21 07/31/13, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taylor R.

Unless they figure out a way to make formula come from a breast, there's just no way to get a definitive answer.

Actually some women use what's called a Supplemental Nursing System - it can be used to feed formula, donor milk or pumped milk. The mom wears a little bag at her neck with the milk in it, and tapes a small tube to the breast. Baby then nurses and gets milk!

As close as you can get.

ErinP · #22 07/31/13, 10:01 AM

I think we also need to remember, we are talking about a biological norm.

Humans, like all other mammals, are designed/have evolved to feed their offspring their own milk. All mammals produce a milk unique to their own specie. Goat milk is different from cow milk which is different from mouse milk which is different from dolphin milk.

Deviation from that norm isn't some kind of guarantee of disaster, any more than following the norm will avert it. Statistics don't work that way. There are always exceptions.
But there is no question whatsoever that the human infant, as a specie, achieves the best results on the milk of its own kind.

MO_cows · #23 07/31/13, 10:14 AM

I don't think the breast milk itself gave the kids the advantage on the IQ test. Instead, overall good parenting and creating an environment for the child to reach their potential. The breast milk is just an example of this good nurturing of a child. But I don't think it contains some magic ingredient that develops brain cells, in and of itself.

Yvonne's hubby · #24 07/31/13, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ErinP

But the above is silly! lol
That's like saying walking on two legs just isn't right right for everyone.

This puts me in mind of the story about the one legged guy in the backside kicking contest.

HOTW · #25 07/31/13, 10:19 AM

5 kids in my family Mum tried but had no success breastfeeding. 3 out of 5 all have IQ's over 145, 2 are in the genius range. Other two highly than average skills in some areas, total bomb in others due to learning disabilities, but not below average intelligence. 2 in the 98%+ for visual special abilities.

It is more the environment IMO rather than the actual act.Most parents who BF are more involved with their children in dsy to day aspects, whereasmany(not all) bottle feeders cannot be bothered o interact with their children while they feed(bottle proppers)

My brother was diagnosed as having a severe reading disability before they knew what dyslexia was and experimental work was done to see what could help him same with speech Mum insisted he get help from a very young age as it was apparent that he had an issue.Back then few toddlers got speech therapy but Mum was insistent til they gave in to shut her up!

LisaInN.Idaho · #26 07/31/13, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HOTW

It is more the environment IMO rather than the actual act.!

Not according to the article the OP posted. Scientists are finding that the chemical makeup of breastmilk contributes to the brain development.

ErinP · #27 07/31/13, 10:29 AM

No.
Guys, the substance itself is completely different stuff!

http://www.nutritionmd.org/nutrition...ing_milks.html
The above is a simple chart that compares the composition of cow, goat and human milks.
(here's another with more species)
http://classes.ansci.illinois.edu/an...omp_table.html

Taking cow's milk and adding corn syrup and vegetable oil doesn't somehow change it into human milk...

Cow's milk has 3.5 times the amount of calcium that human milk does, twice the sodium, NO vitamin C (human has 12 mg per cup), 1/3 the polyunsaturated fat, 1/2 the monounsaturated, and three times the protein. The stuff that's too high doesn't somehow get removed when they add in corn syrup and vegetable oil...

Ohio dreamer · #28 07/31/13, 10:30 AM

LOL, a report like this came out 14 yrs ago when DS was a baby. DH looked over at me, nursing him, and said, "Great I don't have a chance", lol. DH was bottle fed...

But like anything....it come down to drive more than IQ. I have a crazy high IQ but I have never "done" anything with it. I know people with "average" IQ's that have done amazing things. I don't think there are too many people out there that will deny breastfeeding is in the best medical interest of the baby - if nothing else passing on some immunities from the mother's immune system.....but that doesn't mean every other can or has to do it. Each family MUST decided that for themselves. One of the big factors in my breastfeeding is I'm a tightwad at heart......the price of formula was too high when my body would produce food for free.

salmonslayer · #29 07/31/13, 10:33 AM

I was going to make a comment about how that explains my brilliance since I still breast feed but the Mrs just smacked me in the back of the head when she read it so just ignore this comment!

Oggie · #30 07/31/13, 10:42 AM

My wife is so hot.

Our children were fed pasteurized breast milk.

HOTW · #31 07/31/13, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LisaInN.Idaho

Not according to the article the OP posted. Scientists are finding that the chemical makeup of breastmilk contributes to the brain development.

The milk of each species in unique to the development of optimal function of the species, however as I stated in my post, my mother could not breastfeed and yet it did not seem to prevent development of our brains. It has also been proven that the breast milk of mothers of preemies in different than those of full term babies but you don't see that thrown around often in NICU as much as it could be. Lots of specialty formulas in that area. A lot of success of BFing is due to having a huge support and not all lactation specialists are good. BTDT, same with OB/GYN's.

To show case how a study can be construed-I was trying after the birth of our 2 child to getDH to get the big V, a study came out saying how men who had the V had higher case of prostate cancer-DH refused base don the study. We ended up having another baby but th study was sent back to a different panel of scientists to draw their conclusion based on the information gathered..their result? Men who went to college had a higher case of prostate cancer..I got a tubal....

HOTW · #32 07/31/13, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oggie

My wife is so hot.

Our children were fed pasteurized breast milk.

ANd I'm sure you had a hand in homogenizing it as well!

mistletoad · #33 07/31/13, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HOTW

as I stated in my post, my mother could not breastfeed and yet it did not seem to prevent development of our brains.

But you have no idea if they could or would have developed even further had you been breastfed.

Oggie · #34 07/31/13, 11:09 AM

It's important to just skim over statements about the study such as this:

Quote:

Fernstrom says this study shows an association, not cause and effect.

HOTW · #35 07/31/13, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mistletoad

But you have no idea if they could or would have developed even further had you been breastfed.

beating a dead horse IMO if we had different parents would our brains have developed differently?If my experiences were different would I have ended up a different person? While I would not wish some of my experiences on anyone they have had a part in the person I am today. If I could do over would I? Don't know unless they showed me how it would have affected the person I am . Kind of a It's a Wonderful Life statement....

mistletoad · #36 07/31/13, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oggie

It's important to just skim over statements about the study such as this:

Quote:

Quote:
Fernstrom says this study shows an association, not cause and effect.

And this one:

Quote:

The Harvard study, unlike most past studies, controlled for these and other variables, including the mother’s intelligence, education level, and any postpartum depression; family income and home environment; and the child’s race, ethnicity, sex and birth weight.

Oggie · #37 07/31/13, 11:21 AM

And the one right before that one:

Quote:

Georgieff praised the study’s design. There is really good evidence that breastfeeding reduces ear infections, diarrhea and eczema in infants, he says, but “it’s really hard to do studies of cognition.” That’s because there are many variables associated with both a child’s tested intelligence and a mother’s choice to breastfeed.

ErinP · #38 07/31/13, 11:27 AM

Quote:

There is really good evidence that breastfeeding reduces ear infections, diarrhea and eczema in infants

Not to beat yet another dead horse, but breastfeeding doesn't reduce or increase anything. Breastfeeding is the NORM. The baseline.

Deviation from the norm (ie, artificial feeding) increases the risks of ear infections, diarrhea, eczema (RSV, cancer, etc, etc). This is basic biology.

nodak3 · #39 07/31/13, 12:18 PM

Oh wow, here we go again with mommy wars.

Back when I was reproducing in the early 70's it was all "have the baby by natural childbirth" and "you have to breastfeed." Nearly killed me trying to do the all natural route til my dr finally said no to what he termed "bottom sediment" if you get the drift. Tried to breast feed until one little one almost died of dehydration after birth and the dr put his foot down. We went with formula and as the baby aged worked into the dreaded scheduled feedings. She turned out very healthy and very smart. No drama.

Truth is, some folks can and want to have natural childbirth and to breastfeed. Some folks can't, some folks don't want to do so, and it doesn't make a one of them bad parents.

Let's not judge those who do it differently and heap the feeling of failure on mama's that don't breastfeed for whatever reason.

emdeengee · #40 07/31/13, 12:38 PM

I read a little about this report. It involved only 1000 women and children.

No where did it mention the IQs of the parents. A lot of intelligence has to do with nature not nurture so if you are making assumptions the inheritance factor has to be considered. There are people who could breast feed until they are in their 20s and it would not increase their intelligence.