A new study has confirmed the benefits of breastfeeding : results show that the practice boosts the growth of brain much more than using just formula, or a combination of formula and breastfeeding.
Studies made with baby friendly MRI scans, took pictures of babies under the age of 4 in the three separate feeding groups. The images revealed that by age 2, babies who had been breastfed for at least three months without the use of any other supplementation, had key brain zones enhanced compared to the other groups. The areas that were favorably impacted by breastfeeding were language, emotional function, and cognition.
This study confirms previous suspicions by scientists that breastfeeding helped with cognitive development. But the imaging confirms visually and definitely the advantage enjoyed by children who are breastfeed exclusively.
The changes furthermore happen almost immediately after birth, so that the most advantage is had when breastfeeding is done in the first trimester after birth.
This seems to occur because the milk from the mother helps develop Myelin, the fatty material that insulates nerve fibers.
The study showed that exclusively breastfed children had the fastest growth in myelinated white matter of the three groups. However, the children who had been given a combination of mother's milk and formula still reaped some marginal benefit.
The difference in the white matter growth is significant. It is in the order of 20 to 30%. That is an astounding difference, say researchers.
The data was also backed up by cognitive tests the team effected on the children, which confirmed better results in language, visual reception, and motor control performance.
The study also noted that the longer the baby is breast fed the bigger the advantage, although the most crucial period is the first trimester after birth.
Source : Science Daily / 6.7.13
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