Why is it said that breastfeeding promotes intellectual development in young children?

Why is it said that breastfeeding promotes intellectual development in young children?

Research findings have demonstrated that extending the duration of exclusive breastfeeding in infancy can enhance children's cognitive development, including language IQ, behavioral IQ, and overall IQ scores. By the time these children reach school age, they tend to achieve higher academic performance in reading and writing. Furthermore, breastfeeding in infancy can even influence intelligence, brain volume, and white matter development during adolescence.

As cognitive scores are related to the size of an infant's head, a recent study calculated the total brain volume, white matter volume, and gray matter volume based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data (with an average age of the subjects being 15 months). The overall breastfeeding status of the subjects showed a significant correlation with boys' verbal IQ, total IQ scores, total brain volume, and white matter volume. Verbal IQ was also correlated with white matter volume, while in boys, it was additionally correlated with total brain volume. Interestingly, there was no significant correlation between breastfeeding and gray matter in girls. These findings support the notion that breastfeeding promotes brain development, particularly in white matter. Breastfeeding in the neonatal period also influences cognitive abilities at the age of 5. Studies have found that breast milk is rich in docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), a substance that selectively accumulates in neural cell membranes. DHA is essential for optic nerve development, especially in preterm infants fed with breast milk. The level of red blood cell membrane DHA in premature infants fed with breast milk is related to their cognitive function at the age of 5.

In conclusion, breastfeeding plays a vital role in promoting brain development and enhancing cognitive abilities in children, benefiting them in their academic pursuits and beyond.