Babies who are breastfed at least four months are “good” children in comparison with those who were fed only with formula in the first months of life, informs a new study completed by researchers at Oxford University.
The breastfeeding decreases by 30% the risk of developing behavioral problems such as anxiety, excessive shyness, hyperactivity, or kleptomania.
The study was conducted on a group of 9,500 children born between 2000-2001, who were monitored up to the age of five, and children’s parents have completed a questionnaire regarding their children’s behavior.
In the end, it appeared that 16% of children who were fed only with powder milk obtained a test score below the normal range, compared to 6% of those who were breastfed for at least four months.
After also considering the social class differences in parents, researchers established that the risk to become “problem-children” is higher by 30% in those who were exclusively fed with powder milk.
Previous studies have revealed that breastfed babies have higher IQs, higher immunity, and also a lower risk of obesity.