Researchers from the University of Oxford, UK, analyzed data on 7855 infants born in 2000-2002, and researchers followed the analysis up to the age of 14 as part of the UK Millennium Study.

Previous studies had previously found a relationship between breastfeeding and the results of standardized intelligence tests. But causation is still debated, especially since the higher cognitive scores can be explained by other characteristics, including the social economy and intelligence of mothers who relied on breastfeeding to feed their babies.

Breastfeeding enhances cognitive abilities

So, the Oxford researchers collected information about the duration of breastfeeding and its association with different cognitive abilities.

The study found that there were associations between longer breastfeeding periods and higher scores on cognitive tests at all ages up to age 11 and 14, respectively.

After taking into account differences in the mother's socioeconomic status and cognitive ability, children who were breastfed for a longer period scored higher on cognitive scales until age 14, compared to children who were not breastfed.

The researchers concluded that the modest association between breastfeeding duration and cognitive scores persists regardless of the mother's socioeconomics and intelligence, noting that "there is some debate about whether breastfeeding a child for a longer period of time improves their cognitive development."

The researchers explained that in the UK, for example, women with more educational qualifications and a higher economic level tended to breastfeed for longer. Their children score higher on cognitive tests.”

The researchers explain that differences in test scores could explain why children who were breastfed for longer performed better on cognitive assessments, and that although the percentage difference in scores is small, it could be an important population-wide indicator.”