When it comes to parenting, few topics stir as much debate as breastfeeding.
We all know the common short-term benefits: babies who are breastfed are generally less susceptible to infections and diseases.
But what about the long-term effects?
Does breastfeeding have a lasting impact on a child’s future intelligence, education, and even income?
According to a groundbreaking study following almost 3,500 newborns for over 30 years, the answer is a resounding yes.
This extensive research not only highlights the benefits of breastfeeding in childhood but also sheds light on how it can influence cognitive development and economic outcomes decades later.
And the implications are far more significant than you might think.
Immediate Insights: The Power of Prolonged Breastfeeding
The research, led by Bernardo Lessa Horta from the Federal University of Pelotas in Brazil, tracked 3,493 babies born in 1982 in Pelotas, Brazil.
They were followed from infancy into adulthood, with a particular focus on the long-term effects of breastfeeding duration on intelligence, education, and income.
The study, which was published in The Lancet Global Health, found a striking correlation between how long a person was breastfed and their outcomes in adulthood.
Here’s the immediate reward of this study: children who were breastfed for an entire year scored 4 IQ points higher, spent almost another year in formal education, and earned significantly more income as adults than those who were breastfed for less than a month.
To put it into perspective, those who were breastfed for just a year earned around 341 reais more per month, which is about a third more than the average monthly income in Brazil.
These are results that shouldn’t be ignored.
And what about those who breastfed for more than a year?
Interestingly, the study found that the benefits did not increase significantly after the 12-month mark.
In fact, after a year of breastfeeding, the advantages in adulthood began to diminish, with those who breastfed for longer periods tending to have lower education levels and income compared to those who stopped after one year.
So, while longer breastfeeding certainly helps, the optimal benefits appear to plateau at around 12 months.
Challenging Common Assumptions: Is It Really About the Milk or the Parenting?
Let’s pause for a moment and address a common assumption that might be forming in your mind.
It’s easy to assume that the long-chain fatty acids (DHA) found in breast milk are the primary reason for the increased intelligence and higher earnings later in life.
After all, previous studies have shown that DHA is critical for brain development, particularly in the first few years of life.
But is it as simple as that?
This study challenges that very notion.
It’s not just about the nutrients in breast milk; it’s about the quality of care a baby receives.
Some critics, including Dean Burnett from The Guardian, suggest that the positive outcomes associated with breastfeeding may not be directly linked to the milk itself but rather to the mothers’ parenting styles.
According to this view, mothers who breastfeed may be more motivated or better equipped to engage with their children in ways that stimulate cognitive development.
While it’s an interesting perspective, Lessa Horta and his team aren’t entirely convinced.
They believe the nutrient-rich breast milk—particularly the DHA and other essential fatty acids—plays a crucial role in neurodevelopment.
These nutrients, which are found in abundance in breast milk, are vital for the formation of healthy brain cells and neural connections during critical periods of early development.
This theory could be more easily tested and, therefore, is the focus of their ongoing research.
Breaking Down the Study: What Did They Really Find?
The study in question is extensive, and its methodology is impressive.
To explore the link between breastfeeding and adult success, the team gathered data on 3,493 newborns in Pelotas, Brazil, starting in 1982.
These children were monitored for 30 years, with their IQ levels, income, and education recorded at age 30.
What makes this study stand out is the way it accounts for factors that might skew results, like family income, parental education, smoking during pregnancy, and even genomic ancestry.
In other words, the researchers were careful to factor in the usual socio-economic variables that could influence outcomes, ensuring that the benefits of breastfeeding weren’t just a reflection of higher-income, better-educated families being more likely to breastfeed.
But there’s another twist in the tale.
The data revealed that breastfeeding in low-income households—where breastfeeding is less common in many developed countries—was just as beneficial as in higher-income households.
This suggests that the benefits of breastfeeding are not necessarily linked to social class, as is often assumed.
This is an important distinction from previous studies, which have faced criticism for failing to disentangle the effects of socioeconomic status from the actual act of breastfeeding itself.
Lessa Horta’s study addresses this concern head-on by showing that the long-term benefits of breastfeeding are not exclusive to higher-income families.
It’s a level playing field, with those in low-income communities reaping similar rewards as those in more privileged circumstances.
The Emotional and Societal Impact of Breastfeeding
Beyond the individual benefits, there’s an important societal angle to consider.
If breastfeeding can have such a profound impact on intelligence and income, what does this mean for the broader population?
If we start promoting breastfeeding more vigorously, could it lead to a more educated, productive, and wealthier society overall?
The findings of this study suggest that, in addition to the individual benefits, breastfeeding has the potential to impact society on a larger scale, especially when viewed in the context of public health initiatives.
What does this mean for policy?
If breastfeeding contributes to long-term benefits, then promoting it more effectively—especially in economically disadvantaged communities—could be an important step toward improving social mobility, reducing inequality, and fostering a more educated workforce in the future.
This kind of thinking shifts the conversation from a purely parenting choice to a societal necessity.
Encouraging breastfeeding can have ripple effects that extend far beyond the family unit, creating a healthier, more educated, and economically secure society.
A Controversial Topic: What About Those Who Can’t Breastfeed?
No study on breastfeeding is without its critics, and this one is no exception.
The findings raise some ethical and emotional concerns, particularly for mothers who are unable to breastfeed for various reasons.
Infertility, health issues, and lifestyle constraints can all make breastfeeding a difficult or impossible choice for some families.
As Dean Burnett points out, research like this can inadvertently stigmatize mothers who may not be able to breastfeed their children.
It’s essential to recognize that breastfeeding is not the only factor that influences a child’s future success, and the parent-child bond can be nurtured in many other ways.
In the end, this study adds to a growing body of evidence that shows the potential long-term benefits of breastfeeding.
But, it’s equally important to approach these findings with a sense of empathy and understanding that not all parents have the same opportunities or choices when it comes to how they feed their children.
Final Thoughts: Embracing the Science, But With Compassion
This study provides compelling evidence of the benefits of breastfeeding beyond infancy, showing its impact on intelligence, education, and income.
But as with all scientific findings, we must acknowledge the nuanced nature of human development.
Breastfeeding is one piece of a much larger puzzle. While its effects are significant, it’s important to understand that other factors—like parenting quality, socioeconomic conditions, and access to education—play just as crucial a role in shaping a child’s future.
In a world where health and education are foundational to success, this study encourages us to promote breastfeeding while acknowledging the many complexities that come with parenting and child development.
Let’s use the insights from this research to support better public policies and to ensure that every child, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to thrive.
