Mothers of the children were then tasked with completing a questionnaire that gather data on, amongst other things; education, social and medical status, as well as details pertaining to the pregnancy. Additionally, mothers were also asked of their breastfeeding habits, specifically: did they breastfeed exclusively, provide formula exclusively, or mix between the two, and how long breastfeeding was practiced (either one, two, three, six, or 12 months).
The findings were striking; children who had been breastfed for three months and especially six months were far less likely to have ADHD. Of the children who had ADHD, 43% were breastfed at three months and only 29% were breastfed at six months.
Ruth Lawrence, MD, Editor-in-Chief of Breastfeeding Medicine and Professor of Pediatrics, University of Rochester School of Medicine, said:
“Breastfeeding has been shown to have a positive impact on child development, good health, and protection against illness. Now, another possible benefit of breastfeeding for three months and especially six months or longer has been identified. This study opens another avenue of investigation in the prevention of ADHD.”
The authors concluded:
“Whether the lesser exposure to breastfeeding in ADHD children is causally associated with ADHD or, on the contrary, a consequence of early abnormalities of feeding behavior at the breast cannot be determined from the current study. We speculate that prevention, at least partial, of ADHD may be added to the list of the multiple biological advantages of human milk feeding.”
While this may not be as actionable to parents of children who currently have the condition, it is certainly important to bear in mind for future mothers, as well as to have a better understanding of the condition as a whole.
Is breastfeeding an obscene?
This overview of breastfeeding can help you decide.
Breastfeeding is one of the most effective ways to ensure child health and survival.
If every child was breastfed within an hour of birth, given only breast milk for their first six months of life, and continued breastfeeding up to the age of two years, about 800 000 child lives would be saved every year1. Globally, less than 40% of infants under six months of age are exclusively breastfed. Adequate breastfeeding counseling and support are essential for mothers and families to initiate and maintain optimal breastfeeding practices.