Children who are breastfed for longer than six months could be at lower risk of mental health problems later in life.
Children who are breastfed for longer than six months could be at lower risk of mental health problems later in life.
Breastfeeding offers a number of benefits for both the mother and the baby. To see it impact on the mental health of children, researchers studied 2,366 Australian children. Each of the children underwent a mental health assessment when they were 2, 5, 8, 10, and 14 years old. Eleven percent were never breastfed, 38 percent were breastfed for less than six months, and just over half were breastfed for six months or longer.
It was found that the mothers who breastfed for less than six months were younger, less educated, poorer, and more stressed, and were also more likely to be smokers, than the those who breastfed their babies for longer. Those who breastfed their babies for less than six months were also more likely to suffer from postpartum depression, and their babies were more likely to have growth problems.
At each of the assessments, it was found that children who were breastfed for shorter periods of time had worse behavior. Differences were seen for internalising behavior, in which negativity is directed inwards, for example depression; and in externalising behaviors, such as aggression. For each additional month a child was breastfed, behavior improved.
Breastfeeding for six months or longer remained positively associated with the mental health and well-being of children and adolescents even after the researchers adjusted for social, economic and psychological factors as well as early life events.
The above findings indicate that shorter duration of breastfeeding may be a predictor of adverse mental health outcomes during childhood and early adolescence.
Breastfeeding offers a number of benefits for both the mother and the baby. To see it impact on the mental health of children, researchers studied 2,366 Australian children. Each of the children underwent a mental health assessment when they were 2, 5, 8, 10, and 14 years old. Eleven percent were never breastfed, 38 percent were breastfed for less than six months, and just over half were breastfed for six months or longer.
It was found that the mothers who breastfed for less than six months were younger, less educated, poorer, and more stressed, and were also more likely to be smokers, than the those who breastfed their babies for longer. Those who breastfed their babies for less than six months were also more likely to suffer from postpartum depression, and their babies were more likely to have growth problems.
At each of the assessments, it was found that children who were breastfed for shorter periods of time had worse behavior. Differences were seen for internalising behavior, in which negativity is directed inwards, for example depression; and in externalising behaviors, such as aggression. For each additional month a child was breastfed, behavior improved.
Breastfeeding for six months or longer remained positively associated with the mental health and well-being of children and adolescents even after the researchers adjusted for social, economic and psychological factors as well as early life events.
The above findings indicate that shorter duration of breastfeeding may be a predictor of adverse mental health outcomes during childhood and early adolescence.
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