The World Health Organization (WHO) defends that breastfeeding is the ideal food for babies since it contains all the nutrients and antibodies that the child needs. In fact, It is recommended that babies receive exclusively breast milk until 6 months of age, which is when they begin complementary feeding.
The WHO itself already points out the important role that breast milk plays in the physical, emotional and cognitive development of children. Throughout this article we will explain what science tells us about the relationship between the cognitive development of babies and breastfeeding.
To do this, we will explain the most basic aspects of both cognition and breast milk. From there, we will delve into the different evidence that science provides us, also explaining the mechanisms involved at both a biological and psychosocial level.
Breastfeeding is a key aspect in infant development and this is something well known by scientists today. However, We live in a society in which it is really complex to be able to adapt to the rhythms of babies and respect their needs.
This fact, without a doubt, has impacts on the evolution of creatures and their transition to adulthood. Below we will mention the basic aspects related to both cognition and breastfeeding in order to continue deepening this relationship.
Cognition, both in babies and adults, could be defined as the set of mental skills that allow us to receive, process and integrate the information that comes to us from our environment. Through this, the person can learn, reason, solve problems and also remember.
Breast milk is the food that nature has created for mammalian species. Thus, it is understood that in this you can find everything that the calf will need for its development to be optimal and adequate. Breast milk is characterized by being made up of essential nutrients for the structural and functional development of the brain (and the body in general).
The Effects of Breastfeeding on Babies’ Cognition
We cannot ignore the fact that the first months, and even years, of a baby’s life are crucial for its development. Especially the first 6 months require a very high level of nutrients so that the cognitive processes that promote learning and memory, in addition to optimal brain functioning, can occur adequately.
The possible relationship between breastfeeding and the cognitive development of the baby has been a topic that has aroused great interest and, therefore, today we have a wide variety of studies related to the topic. There is ample evidence to support the idea that exclusively breastfed babies perform better on tests of cognitive abilities around age 4.
In some studies, babies who have received exclusively breast milk are compared with babies who have received formula milk and with babies who have been mixed breastfed. Studies suggest that the components present in breast milk, not available in artificial milk, could be related to the formation of more efficient neuronal connections and, therefore, better scores when evaluating cognitive development.
There are studies that have analyzed this relationship as infants develop. It has been observed that the positive effects continue to be maintained at the age of 6 years, since breastfed children obtain higher scores on the Wechsler Intelligence Scale.
There are also studies that have analyzed long-term effects. One of them analyzed, based on the fact of having received exclusive breastfeeding or not, aspects such as intelligence, academic level and income at age 30. The results indicate that breastfeeding can have a strong impact even in adulthood and that this can be seen both at the academic-work level and at the psychosocial level.
Other aspects to take into account
With everything explained so far, it seems more than evident that exclusive breastfeeding is the most appropriate so that babies can develop optimally in all areas. Although they have not been specifically mentioned, being breastfed also has a large number of physical and emotional benefits—for both the child and the mother.
An aspect that has not been discussed so far and that is absolutely necessary to take into account is the psychosocial element. Breastfeeding also influences issues such as bonding and, therefore, the emotional and social development of the child. Breastfeeding goes beyond the simple act of feeding.
The moment when the baby is breastfed is also a space for interactions between the mother and the child. Besides, There is also physical contact between both and this is also necessary for the optimal development of the infant.
Finally, the environment in which the baby develops and breastfeeds is also crucial since it can provide various stimuli that, beyond the milk with which the baby is fed, stimulate cognitive development. We are complex beings and there are many factors that influence, whether for better or worse, the development of people.
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This article has been reviewed by our editorial team at PsychologyFor to ensure accuracy, clarity, and adherence to evidence-based research. The content is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health advice.
