Study reveals link between breastfeeding and child IQ

[Callisto]

Independent: news.independent.co.uk/health/article3132481.ece

Times: www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/article2813696.ece

It wasn't a survey. That sort of thing was done yonks ago and, yes, was affected by the fact that mothers with a healthier lifestyle were the ones that were breastfeeding. This new information regards the identification of an gene that increases IQ (found in 90% of the population) that is only activated when a baby is breastfed.

There will always be cases of families where the more intelligent members were not breastfed, and this does not discount this new finding, instead what can be said is that there is a high chance that had this person been breastfed then they are likely to have had an even higher IQ.

so are we saying that middle class people have higher IQ's than working class ???

• sorry I just find the whole "IQ" business (in general) a bit of a laugh really - I mean just because you have a high IQ doesn't mean you're going to do "well" in life, and equally having a low IQ isn't necessarily condemn you to a life of poverty...

And that extra 7 points is really going to change your life isn't it?

More here in Mike Brady's blog

I don't think anyone will actually read the link because obviously looking at a v small sample of "children we know" is how ALL science should be conducted these days.

Agree QoQ - how many people honestly know their IQ and is it really that important anyway?

There is more to life.

HM - calm down women - I think the research is very interesting, and I really do believe it.......however I still don't give a toss what IQ your children have, or what IQ my children have as it's not going to get them through life

HM - calm down women - I think the research is very interesting, and I really do believe it.......however I still don't give a toss what IQ your children have, or what IQ my children have as it's not going to get them through life

I think the information is appealing to people because whatever has been said about the desirability of a higher IQ, most mothers would choose to (potentially) give their child a higher rather than lower IQ.

I'm perfectly calm, promise

Just a bit about the reaction this sort of thing has, that's all.

If formula had been found to have this effect, I wonder if people would be posting "Does it really matter anyway?" They may well, but it's interesting to ponder.

story is rubbish and was deliberately made up to keep MN entertained!

I wouldn't be bothered if it was breastmilk or formula that gave a higher IQ. It would not have swayed my decision about how to feed in any way, shape or form.

Firstly, there were bigger issues to consider at the time, secondly, I think there are much bigger factors that determine someone's IQ/intelligence and, thirdly, there are other factors than IQ that will influence how someone gets on in life.

When I heard this on Today this morning, I thought, oh blogs, all the scary militant bfers are going to be crowing over this.

Am v. pleased that there is actually a sensible (ish!) debate going on.

Agree that the study doesn't sound awfully scientific.

My two penceworth: ds bottlefed (ebm for first few weeks). - Genius.

Mates ds breastfed for 2.5 yrs - thicko.

So voila. There ya go.

"scary militant bfers"? Ones MN, or those you know in RL?

"Ones on MN"?

thedullwitch, researchers i've spoken to (eg at dundee) who've looked at the impact of breastmilk on all sorts of health indicators (respiratory and gastric infections) make sure they adjust for social class, including equal numbers for each "arm" of the study.

On MN, natch.

SD, please name some scary militant bfers on MN.

Bundle, surely they don't, surely they just go "bf makes you clever...tick" and all swan off for lunch?

smileydee if you think that it does not sound very scientific then please read the details. This has nothing to do with social status, health, wealth etc. It is genetics.

"Seven points difference is enough to put the child in the top third of the class, the researchers said." That would make for many G&T threads on MN

i agree im sure that there are far more benefits to breastfeeding than the scientists and experts already realise
even though its already proven to lower risk of
Allergies
Asthma
Autoimmune thyroid diseases
Bacterial meningitis
Breast cancer
Celiac disease
Crohn's disease
Diabetes
Diarrhea
Eczema
Gastroenteritis
Hodgkin's lymphoma
Necrotizing enterocolitis
Multiple sclerosis
Obesity
Otitis media (ear infection)
Respiratory infection and wheezing
Rheumatoid arthritis
Urinary tract infection

its very sad that 9 out of 10 women that stop bf at 6 weeks do not want to
and we as a nation/culture need to do something about this

and by people trying fool themsleves that theres no benefit to bf there are helping nobody lest of all themselves

I wish my kids showed any signs of having a higher IQ. BF for 10 years all in all and they are decidedly average . I have also had a good education which is supposed to help, and I have a highish IQ. Perhaps it's all DH's fault? Yep like that idea....

Ooh.. someone mentioned militant bfers!

Yawn - another study to make mothers feel even more guilty.

I was bottle fed in a single-parent, working-class family. I didn't attend pre-school education.

I am now a Times-reading, non-smoking, reasonably intelligent, middle-class SAHM. Surely research would say I should be a chain-smoking, ASBO-owning thickie?

My IQ when tested many years ago was Mensa level (can't remember exact figure) - all it means is that I am quick at doing puzzles. Has sweet FA to do with real life.

Breastfeeding is great - we don't need to be made to feel guilty, there are plenty of "real" benefits rather than spurios links to IQ which in itself is not necessarily an indicator of anything great.

oh FFS - maybe studies into the benefits of breastfeeding shouldn't be allowed because they might hurt some people's fragile little egos?

Of course all those scientists are just on a mission to make mothers feel guilty.