Blog #5: Breast-Feeding Boosts Chances of Success, Study In Brazil Finds

In this article they cover a study that has discovered breast-fed babies may be more likely to be successful in life, whether it's health wise or economically. The study followed more than 3,000 babies into adulthood in Brazil and the researchers found that those who were breast-fed scored slightly higher in intelligence tests in their 30s. It also concluded the participants stayed in school longer and earned more money than those who were given formula. This is an interesting study because most of the time we see breast-feading as linked to short-term benefits for a babies health rather than long-tern benefits. Breast-feeding around the world is very important because a baby given formula in developing countries is 14 times more likely to die in the first six months than one who's breast-fed (UNICEF). Also, not to mention the money that is saved when breast-feeding a baby, because baby formula is costly.  Now that we see a study that shows long-term benefits it can be a motivator for moms in developed countries to see the importance of breastfeeding.

Also in the article a study that was given in the U.S. is included, but it is more so debatable because the children used in a previous study comparing siblings was not followed into adulthood. Instead it was volunteers who were followed into adulthood who are now in their 30s just as the study in Brazil.  The information derived from the study in the U.S. showed that those breast-fed for 12 months had IQ test scores that were 3.76 points higher than those who were breast-fed for less than one month. Then they took into consideration how much education the subjects obtained and how much money they were making, they also found a clear difference just like in Brazils study. Although the study from the U.S. is not as credible as he study performed in Brazil it is the beginning to a break though about another benefit from breastfeeding that is long-term.

Anna Hunsucker

March 19, 2015

7:06

http://www.npr.org/blogs/goatsandsoda/2015/03/17/393366708/breast-feeding-boosts-chances-of-success-study-in-brazil-finds