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

[EddyF]

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

I lucked out there then. Eldest EBF for 6 months then a further 6 months after weaning, severely autistic, severe learning disabilities, epilepsy and OCD. 2nd baby EBF for 6 months then a further 4 months is dyslexic. Youngest EBF first 7 months then a further 16 months, no diagnosis.

I agree with @FumingTRex and @nocoolnamesleft. I'd like to see a follow up that looks at how many of the FF mums wanted to breastfeed, and what support was offered. Is someone with a neurodiverse baby less likely to get good support, if they want to BF?

Agree with others. Correlation does not equal causation. There are lots of explanations for the link that do not mean breastfeeding caused ASD.

E.g. are autistic mothers (who are more likely to have autistic children) less likely to breastfeed due to sensory issues?

Are autistic babies less likely to latch properly?

Do they have worse sleep, or wake up more often - all possibly resulting in mothers switching to formula out of needing help with night time feeding.

What about reflux?

There are so many things to consider. I don’t think a link is very useful information at all really.

I think YABU to post this, knowing how often women are criticised for not breastfeeding.

I also don’t see the point in the “I EBF and have autistic DC” posts either since that’s not how probability works. Even if it was something as extreme as “FF babies are 1000% more likely to have autism” then there would still be plenty of FF babies without autism and EBF with.

it’s the same way that car seats are inarguably statistically safer than popping your child in the boot but it doesn’t mean every child who travels in the boot will die. Likewise sleeping a baby on their back is safer but most babies survive regardless. It’s just about how many don’t.

None of it matters though because a link between feeding methods and autism doesn’t really tell us much at all and so I’m not sure what conversations can be reasonably had from this.

What will you do with your own conclusions? Sen parents have it hard enough as it is, without this targeted harassment of us

CP is caused by brain damage. Breast milk is a wonderful thing but it can’t make white matter grow back.

The source of the study is the Journal of the American Medical Association, the Daily Mail are reporting the findings, and do seem to have been accutate. The study is of over half a million children, so can't be dismissed as fake news.

The study doesn't say that breastfed kids don't develop ASD or ADHA, but that kids who were breastfed have lower rates, so pps who say they breastfed but have kids with ASD or ADHA aren't disproving the data.

Everyone already knows that breastfeeding is best for the baby and the mother, but lots don't breastfeed, and it's the mother's decision. This is just more evidence of the benefits of breastfeeding, may help some mothers to make the decision to breastfeed, but it still won't be mandatory.

Says the daily fail...

@Mazehazegaze

This is not my area of research but 101:

CPEB4 is a protein that guides how certain genes interact in the brain. This network of genes is highly correlated with behaviours associated with autism. CPEB4 acts as ‘master regulator for a network of autism risk genes’.

The study found people with autism had a tiny section of mRNA that was under expressing (sending the wrong/no message). This was found to alter how brain proteins interact and contribute to autism related behaviours.

There are multiple studies on this. Some studies suggest that mothers who get virus/infections during pregnancy have reduced CPEB4 expression. The mother’s immune system has somehow triggered a response causing a suppression of CPEB4.

Same.

I was already very much at the link between BF and autism and ADHD. Then I saw the mention of cerebral palsy being linked to not BF and realised this study is a load of old shit. CP is brain damage occurring before, during or very shortly after the birth.

Sounds like another stick to beat mothers with.

Interesting how feeding is referred to as the mother’s “decision”. I didn’t get to make a decision. If I’d had an equal choice between the two, I’d have breastfed. But Mother Nature is a bitch at times and mums have enough to deal with without this shit being trotted out again and again.

And all these years I thought it was my 'parenting' that caused my son's Autism sic and all it really is due to is my milk dried up really quick.

I never tire of other's observations as to the causes of my existence as the LP of a now grown ASD child. And blowing my own trumpet here but I've done a fantastic job with him, preparing him for an independent life without me and what a very fine human being he is and I'm darned proud of him.

But please keep me amused with the musings of the ignorant....

The follow up is only to max 3 years of age and a single basic developmental assessment. So we'd really need to see longer term data to conclude anything - for example breastfeeding reduces some allergies and autoimmune conditions in early life but the benefit vanishes by age 7.

Also correlation is not causation- it is plausible that babies with delayed milestones might have greater difficulty in establishing breast feeding (the authors did exclude any children with prematurity or serious health problems from the study).

This study found no statistically significant correlation between mode of feeding and motor milestones anyway!

Agree with you - cerebral palsy is by definition not related to feeding.

Now do the study again. This time take the mothers and randomly allocate them to the 'breastfeeding' group or the 'formula' group - ie no self-selection [which obviously you can't do on ethical grounds]. If you do that, you'll see all the effects disappear! If you don't understand why, read a book on statistics.

The other problem with these studies is that they're usually conducted by, or sponsored by, vested interests. So there's a strong publication bias (ie they only publish the studies where the results support the desired outcome). So the available studies for inclusion in things like this meta study are already biased.

It's statistical nonsense (probably).

Have you got the original study

Breastfeeding Duration and Child Development | Breastfeeding | JAMA Network Open | JAMA Network

Links to it again.

I couldn't care less about any study.

My daughter was entirely formula fed, then when she started to eat, she didn't like my cooking, so ate little jars of baby food. I couldn't BF, my boobs just couldn't produce milk and she's turned out alright. Top set for everything, 7s and 8s for GCSEs. No health problems, no neurological symptoms whatsoever, has never been overweight. So that and most case studies are inaccurate for my child.

Take it all with a pinch of salt.

Usual groups trying to make women feel guilty about their choices.

Correlation does not equal causation. Maybe disabled kids don't feed as well.

Ok...? Sounds like bullshit. I exclusively breastfed both of mine for 13-15 months. Both autistic, the one I breastfed for the longest is more profoundly affected, non verbal etc. Genetics are a huge factor.

My mom has ADHD. She breastfed me until I was one. I have ADHD. I breastfed my older daughter until she was fifteen months. She has ADHD. I breastfed my second daughter for seven months. She has ADHD.

It’s the genetics, not the presence or absence of breastmilk.

I did have a decision…but it was between breastfeeding while feeling suicidal and formula-feeding and wanting to live. I had to cold-turkey wean my second baby and once she was on formula and I was on medication, it was like the part in “The Wizard of Oz” when Dorothy opens the door and everything changes from sepia to color.

Here's me grappling with the fact that my child has autism and thinking 'so much for breast is best'.

Parents don't need this crap. Most FF babies will not be neurodivergent. So will most BF babies.

No it isn’t more evidence of the benefits of breastfeeding it’s complete and utter bullshit. Did you even read the article.

It’s an Israeli “study” ( vague as to exactly who did it) that just looked at a few medical records. The article even states :-
“Additionally, this study was observational and cannot prove that breastfeeding will prevent any NDC. “

They didn’t even specify which NDCs they’re taking about and even the article states

“Separate researchers have said better screening, raised awareness and a broader diagnostic criteria are driving the surge. “

Most importantly widespread research shows Autism and adhd are often hereditary.

I am thinking Autisitc mothers struggle more with breast feeding due to sensory issues- hypersensitivity to pain etc. Autism is genetic so more autistic children are likely to have parents who struggled with breastfeeding. Does not mean the bottle feeding was the cause.