Breastfeeding and IQ – another stick to beat parents with

Is breast best.. at any cost?

Media today is constantly bombarding us with statements like “breast is best”, telling us that breastfeeding babies makes them smarter later in life.

This is a dangerous statement to make.

Why have I heard it on the radio at least three times before 9am? Seen it again on the front page of the BBC website?

This is not news. It is not fact.

It is a theory from a single study in Brazil that, by it’s own account, recognises the multitude of factors that influence a child’s IQ! [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4365917/]

The result? Millions of mothers wrongly feeling either smug or inadequate.

Back in the day

Ten years ago, parents were advised to breastfeed for three months and there wasn’t believed to be much benefit after that. All the mothers of teenagers who followed that advice are now left feeling guilty that they haven’t done the best for their children.

As do those many fabulous parents of younger children who, for whatever reason, did not breastfeed their children for a whole year.

The mother

I’m not disputing the growing body of evidence that highlights the many benefits of breastfeeding, but these benefits can’t be taken in isolation.

I don’t know of any mother in the last twenty years who could breastfeed, enjoyed breastfeeding and whose baby was thriving on being breastfed just give up because she couldn’t be bothered.

If people don’t breastfeed their baby, there is a reason, even if that reason is ‘just’ the mother’s happiness.

What none of these studies show is what happens to mothers and infants if they are forced to breastfeed against their wishes.

For some, the child would simply not thrive and may suffer malnutrition. For others it may exacerbate conditions, such as Post Natal Depression.

Conclusion

The best way to raise healthy, bright children is for parents to feel confident and empowered to make informed decisions.

Parents should be supported rather than judged when they make decisions about what is best for them, their baby and the rest of their family.

Categorised in: parenting advice

This post was written by Dr Amanda Gummer