Modern
parents want to do everything they
can to help their
children's brain development. Never
before have there been so many products
and books sold that claim to help parents
stimulate their baby's brain, assist
in brain development, and give baby
an intelligence "edge".
Recently, a variety of studies have
come to light that tout the benefits
of breastfeeding on brain development
and intelligence.
What IS the connection between breastfeeding
and intelligence?
It comes down to a couple of important
things, some of which are tangible
and measurable, and some that are
not.
The Importance of Fats and Other
Essential Nutrients
Breastmilk contains
the ideal ratio of fats, amino
acids and other nutrients
that baby needs for brain and nervous
system development. These ingredients
provide the ideal basis for the "hard-wiring" component
of a person's intelligence.
For instance, Taurine is an important
amino acid found in high concentrations
in mother's milk. (In contrast, it
is almost nonexistent in cow's milk.)
Taurine has an important role in
the development of brain tissue,
among other things. A baby's body
is unable to form Taurine on its
own, so s/he is totally reliant on
his food to supply this.
Another important ingredient of
mom's milk are fats. Breastmilk contains
high amounts of important fats, such
as DHA and ARA. These are very important
components of brain structures, and
research has shown that breastfed
infants have higher concentration
of these essential fats in their
brain and blood than do formula fed
babies.
Some artificial baby milk manufacturers
are adding Taurine and DHA to their
formulas, but this does not make
these identical to mother's milk.
Researchers have concluded that there
is an important interplay between
all of the components of breastmilk
that cause this effect, and that
this effect can't be duplicated.
Cholesterol is another ingredient
found in high concentrations in breastmilk.
It is needed to build tissue in the
brain and nervous system. Babies
need cholesterol in the first two
years of life. (Incidentally, there
is evidence that points to a connection
between cholesterol in breastmilk
and the ability to handle dietery
cholesterol in adulthood.)
Studies comparing breastfed children
and their formula fed peers in different
ages and stages of life show time
and again that breastfed infants
do better on various tests of intellectual
ability. Some have shown these differences
persisting for many years.
Even after the differences in socioeconomic
status were accounted for or eliminated
in these studies, breastfed children
still clearly come out ahead.
In fact, one study showed that premature
infants who were breastfed had significantly
higher IQs than formula fed babies,
and when babies were fed a combination
of breastmilk and formula, their
cognitive scores were directly related
to the amount of mother's milk they
received.
Hormones- Both Baby's and Mom's
Mother's milk has a high level of
endorphins in the first few days
after birth. No doubt this helps
the baby ease the transition to life
outside the womb.
When babies are
stressed out, their tiny bodies
are in "fight or
flight" mode, and essential
energy is directed away from growth
and development, which would have
an obvious effect on the brain.
Additionally, a nursing Mom is biologically
a different animal than a non-breastfeeding
one.
For instance,
when a woman breastfeeds, her body
is flooded with pleasure
hormones, one of which is Oxytocin,
the so called "love hormone",
that is also present during orgasm.
This hormone helps her to feel relaxed
and bonded with her baby. Oxytocin
triggers nurturing activity, which
no doubt plays a huge role in baby's
cognitive and emotional development.
Since lactation suppresses the nervous
system response to stressful stimuli,
a happy nursing Mommy means a happy
baby!
What are some of the intangible
benefits that breastfeeding has on
brain development and IQ?
Physical Closeness and Emotional
Health
In recent years
a lot of emphasis has been put
on "Emotional Intelligence".
How does breastfeeding assist with
helping a child develop this?
The closeness
of breastfeeding is an important
bridge between baby's
intrauterine life and his new experience
of being out in the world. Studies
have shown that babies who receive
lots of closeness with their primary
caregiver, and lots of stimulating
eye contact and "conversation" are
getting important brain stimulation
that gadgets and toys cannot produce.
That is not to say that a formula
feeding Mother doesn't do this, but
a breastfeeding baby can't help but
have lots of skin to skin contact
and interaction with his Mother!
Breastfeeding also gives Mom a chance
to reconnect with her busy crawling
baby or walking toddler, who seems
to spend all his time running from
Mom. Having several quiet moments
during the day to kiss those dimpled
hands, sniff that sweet smelling
head, and tickle those fat feet (that
will be bigger than your own soon
enough) is an important way for Mom
and Baby to get that closeness.
The late Dr.
Lee Salk, pediatric psychologist,
said that "The
baby whose cries are answered now
will later be the child confident
enough to show his independence and
curiosity. But the baby left to cry
may develop a sense of isolation
and distrust, and may turn inward...later
in life, this child may continue
to cope with stress by trying to
shut out reality."
The closeness of breastfeeding makes
for a happier baby, one who is settled
inside and who trusts that another
human will be there to meet his needs,
instead of an outside gadget. Don't
we want our children learning this
important lesson from infancy?
Of course, breastfeeding does not
automatically guarantee that a child
will be smart, but it can be a way
to guarantee that a child lives up
to their full genetic potential for
emotional intelligence, smarts and
IQ!
