Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Children who are breastfed are less likely to develop neurological conditions, including autism, a new study found.

192 replies

EddyF · 24/03/2025 20:03

Researchers studied 570,000 infants, about half of which were breastfed for at least six months.

They found exclusively breastfed babies were 28 percent less likely to be diagnosed with a neurodevelopmental condition (NDC), such as autism, ADHD and cerebral palsy.

Breastfed babies were also 18 percent less likely to have delays in language and social milestones compared to babies who were breastfed for less than six months.

Babies who were partially breastfed - possibly supplemented with formula - were 14 percent less likely to have delays.

The reduced risk even persisted among siblings, who would most likely have similar genetic risks if they have the same parents. Those who were breastfed for at least six months were nine percent less likely to have milestone delays.

Article: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-14531215/amp/Parenting-choice-slashes-childrens-autism-risk.html

The parenting choice that slashes children's autism risk by 30%

Parents may be able to reduce their child's risk of autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions (NDCs) by following the recommended feeding technique.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-14531215/amp/Parenting-choice-slashes-childrens-autism-risk.html

OP posts:
Arcticrival · 24/03/2025 20:19

AIBU about what. your post doesn't make sense

minnienono · 24/03/2025 20:19

Correlation, causation or simply who filled in the survey?

my DD’s were both ebf both are neurodivergent, one has autism one has adhd!

Scottishskifun · 24/03/2025 20:18

It's not causation and I don't think trying to scare new mothers or have that family member who says oh but I saw a article about bf and autism helps anyone!

I bf my two til they were toddlers, happy to support any mother who wants to bf and have signposted friends to bf support when they asked (even dropped off frozen milk when I was a milk donor). But women shouldn't be or feel pressured into bf.

Liondoesntsleepatnight · 24/03/2025 20:18

Republic of Ireland has very low breast feeding percentages, are there more children with Autism here??

CoffeeCakeAndALattePlease · 24/03/2025 20:18

Who knows. I suspect correlation not causation.

DS was breastfed until 2 1/2 years but is AuDHD.

My DB had cerebral palsy due to oxygen starvation at birth. He couldn’t be breast fed.

SabreIsMyFave · 24/03/2025 20:17

Oh yeah yippee! Grin ANOTHER stick to beat women with.

Fuck the fuckity fuckington off whoever did this 'study!!' Hmm

And it's in the DAILY MAIL, so it must ALL be true! 🙄

Liondoesntsleepatnight · 24/03/2025 20:16

Thanks OP I will power up my Time Machine, not get very sick following giving birth and also not develop mastitis resulting in me only breast feeding for six weeks.

lavenderlou · 24/03/2025 20:16

Interesting but I still think genetics are more closely linked. I have two DC diagnosed with autism. One combination fed for 3 months, then FF. The other ebf until started solids but I breastfed her for 18 months altogether. The one that was breastfed longer always had more "obvious" traits. I wonder if the breastfeeding itself actually has any bearing or is just a coincidence given that autism likely develops before birth.

worcesterpear · 24/03/2025 20:16

Surely autism is already genetically programmed in. There could be something which makes autistic individuals less likely to be able to breastfeed (difficulties with feeding or attaching for example). With cerebal palsy the link is even more obvious.

AnneLovesGilbert · 24/03/2025 20:15

Frostynoman · 24/03/2025 20:11

Fed is best.

Is this meaningless phrase still doing the rounds?

Fed is essential. It’s the bare minimum because if not fed the baby doesn’t survive.

CarolDunne · 24/03/2025 20:15

Better tell my breastfeed autistic 10 to cop the feck on so

I fed that fecker till he was 2

Maray1967 · 24/03/2025 20:13

EddyF · 24/03/2025 20:05

I don’t actually agree with this study.

Neither do I based on my experiences. But I realised that years ago when the bf babies of friends had eczema, hay fever, and seemed to throw up at the slightest thing - and my two were strappingly healthy on Cow & Gate. Mine both had colic for a few weeks, but so did some of the bf babies.

AFrankExchangeofViews · 24/03/2025 20:13

My autistic son refused to breastfeed, he had CPA and reflux and had to have a special formula that he could keep down. Even the la leche league lady said sometimes it just wasn't possible. So yeah, correlation is not causation.

Bodonka · 24/03/2025 20:12

Well way to place more judgement at the feet of struggling parents. Oh, your child has Autism? Did you breastfeed? NO?! Well it’s your fault then 👀

VickyEadieofThigh · 24/03/2025 20:12

This sort of thing reminds me of the daily articles online by tabloids like the Daily Mirror, claiming doing things like puzzles can prevent dementia, etc.

It's clickbait bollocks.

Theunamedcat · 24/03/2025 20:12

So how does that fall in line with it going through families? My dad's family is the most autistic of all families all breastfed

WonderingWanda · 24/03/2025 20:12

Ridiculous. Cerebral Palsy develops when something affects brain development in the womb or during birth. Most commonly oxygen starvation, or potentially infection and injury. Those parts of the brain is forever gone and can't be revived with.

AnneLovesGilbert · 24/03/2025 20:12

EddyF · 24/03/2025 20:05

I don’t actually agree with this study.

What do you mean you don’t agree with it? Do you mean the findings are wrong? The way the research was conducted was wrong? The reporting by the DM?

SenoritaBubba · 24/03/2025 20:11

Some mums can't breastfeed 🥱

vodkaredbullgirl · 24/03/2025 20:11

🙄

Frostynoman · 24/03/2025 20:11

Fed is best.

Kamek · 24/03/2025 20:10

Irrespective of whether there is any truth in this study or not, it's just another way of criticising those who could not BF for a variety of reasons. So YABU for sharing it and as is often the case, being all smug and righteous that mothers who didn't BF are failing their DC

ThisMustBeMyDream · 24/03/2025 20:10

Autism is present from birth in many cases. Breastfeeding or not, won't make a jot of difference. Just because it can't be diagnosed until older, doesn't mean they weren't born with it!

BabyRuthless · 24/03/2025 20:10

My son was breastfed until nearly 3 years old and isn't autistic. Interestingly, his dad is, was diagnosed at 4. We thought it would be likely our child would too.

Original poster
EddyF · 24/03/2025 20:10

I Googled the study as I didn’t want to put DM as I knew it would raise questions as they’re so dodgy but I couldn’t make the link clickable. The study is on true if you look on Google. However, like most studies, you have to do your own deeper research to come to your own conclusion.

OP posts:
Swipe left for the next trending thread