Breastfeeding and children's intelligence not linked

WoollyRedHat

According to a study carried out by UCD.
http://expertise.ucd.ie/breastfeeding-and-childrens-intelligence-not-linked

Now I feel like a right tit.

Of course, the study goes on to say that while there are benefits to breast feeding, that IQ is not one of them.

diomed

On no, can't be true, my Quintin is so advanced ...

donegaLroad

The biggest benefit of breastfeeding is strengthening your childs immune system as they develop.

CastielJ

lol I know it, no points breastfeeding unless you want to show your breasts to everyone

seamus

I don't think that was ever considered iron-clad anyway. In the modern era, it's better educated parents who tend to breastfeed more, and better educated parent raise more intelligent children. That's the link really.

However, that doesn't mean there's no point in breastfeeding. There are still many proven health and development benefits to it, for both mother and child.

mojesius

It beats having to sterilise bottles and measure out formula all the time and nappies are less toxic.

kylith

donegaLroad wrote: »

The biggest benefit of breastfeeding is strengthening your childs immune system as they develop.

Plus it's tailor-made, free, and doesnt' need the container to be steralised.

wexie

kylith wrote: »

and doesnt' need the container to be steralised.

Or popped in the microwave

optogirl

mojesius wrote: »

It beats having to sterilise bottles and measure out formula all the time and nappies are less toxic.

sharing feeding/sleep time with partner has its benefits though

Trigger Happy

I was not breast fed and I am completly intelligint.

wexie

optogirl wrote: »

sharing feeding/sleep time with partner has its benefits though

There is that, having said that, I've given my kids plenty of bottles while mummy was asleep.

Bottles of breastmilk....

(and formula sometimes, little one was a hungry fecker)

kylith

kylith wrote: »

Plus it's tailor-made, free, and doesnt' need the container to be steralised.

Or carried either which is nice. Less clutter in a restaurant too where tables are already full and cluttered at the best of times. No bottles rolling or falling around. Just pop the child on at the table and get on with the meal.

wexie wrote: »

There is that, having said that, I've given my kids plenty of bottles while mummy was asleep. Bottles of breastmilk....

I have always loved the sound (our) pumps made. Was so funny. Sounded like a long row of very angry Marge Simpsons.

WoollyRedHat wrote: »

According to a study carried out by UCD.
http://expertise.ucd.ie/breastfeeding-and-childrens-intelligence-not-linked

Now I feel like a right tit.

Of course, the study goes on to say that while there are benefits to breast feeding, that IQ is not one of them.

That link should be sent to all the "science writers" - you know the journalists that tend not to have any actual science training - in news papers as a template for how to _start_ writing a good article on scientific findings.

None of your Daily Mail sensationalism - and weird conclusions. Just an article that explains the findings - tells you what conclusions should _not_ be taken from the findings - and even some mention on methodology such as how "bias" was accounted for.

If every paper - tabloid or broad - started writing their science paper summaries like this one - the world would be a less dumber place.

Ubbquittious

I am skeptical of all these studies. It's never long before another contradictory one comes out and if you dig deep enough there is a sponsor behind each one

bee06

Breastfeeding also lowers the risk of breast and ovarian cancer in the mother.

kylith

bee06 wrote: »

Breastfeeding also lowers the risk of breast and ovarian cancer in the mother.

And can help you lose the baby weight, and can act as a contraceptive.

CruelCoin

kylith wrote: »

Plus it's tailor-made, free, and doesnt' need the container to be steralised.

If babies don't go all gangrenous from breastfeeding and the non-sterilised nipple, then why all the fuss over sterilising bottles?

Friends of mine are new parents, and you'd swear they're prepping for surgery each time they feed their kid...

Bitches Be Trypsin

From a scientific point of view, I don't think there's a massive advantage to breastfeeding over formula fed.

LirW

kylith wrote: »

And can help you lose the baby weight, and can act as a contraceptive.

That is something you really shouldn't rely on though. It works as contraceptive in some women but unfortunately others rely on it and have another sprog on the way before the baby is 6 months.

My own period was back 4 weeks after the C-Section and 3 months after the vbac. Unfortunately you won't know when it comes back for sure. It's also not recommended anymore to rely on breastfeeding as contraception because it's quite unsafe.

Bitches Be Trypsin

Bitches Be Trypsin wrote: »

From a scientific point of view, I don't think there's a massive advantage to breastfeeding over formula fed.

Really? I thought breast feeding was linked to all sorts of health benefits for the baby. Also it's a natural source of food rather than formula.

jamesbere

Boobies.

lazygal

CruelCoin wrote: »

If babies don't go all gangrenous from breastfeeding and the non-sterilised nipple, then why all the fuss over sterilising bottles?

Friends of mine are new parents, and you'd swear they're prepping for surgery each time they feed their kid...

The main thing is sterilising the formula because it has harmful bacteria if the bottles aren't prepared correctly.
I've breastfed two children, one to 14 months and another to four years and counting. It wasn't because I thought I'd turn them into geniuses. it was because it works for us.
Bottle feeding is a pain.

ted1

Bitches Be Trypsin wrote: »

From a scientific point of view, I don't think there's a massive advantage to breastfeeding over formula fed.

I’d like to see your Scentific credientials.

kylith

CruelCoin wrote: »

If babies don't go all gangrenous from breastfeeding and the non-sterilised nipple, then why all the fuss over sterilising bottles?

Friends of mine are new parents, and you'd swear they're prepping for surgery each time they feed their kid...

Because there can be moulds and bacteria in the bottles, and possibly in the formula too as it's not, as far as I know, packaged in a sterile atmosphere.

OTOH breastmilk doesn't touch the air between production site in the glands and the baby's mouth, so bacteria or moulds from the air can't get to it. As long as the mother is healthy then the milk is good.

Outlaw Pete

There's a missing T in the thread title. How apt

mojesius

optogirl wrote: »

sharing feeding/sleep time with partner has its benefits though

True, but partners are great for more rigorous winding sessions and a dab hand at changing nappies bigger arms to fall asleep in too

Vegeta

Deleted User wrote: »

. Sounded like a long row of very angry Marge Simpsons.

Ha ha, I loved that description. Well played

Hector Bellend

Sucking boobs has done nothing for my IQ

somesoldiers

I have a huge problem with breast feeding in public....the baby's head always gets in the way and you can't get a good look at the diddy

jester77

ah yeah, because breasts are just for decoration :rolleyes:

jester77

jester77 wrote: »

ah yeah, because breasts are just for decoration :rolleyes:

Mine are! And very nice decorations at that

mad muffin

My son wasn’t breast fed.


CAUSE AIN’T NO ONE GETTING TO THOSE TITTIES BUT ME!!!

Verity.

Still breastfeeding our nine month old, and I'm so glad I persevered. Although the onus is all on me to feed (unless I pump), it's just so easy. No laborious washing or having to plan bottles to leave the house. LO is meeting all the developmental milestones and has never been sick.

There's no doubt it can be a rocky start, it's what puts many mothers off it. But once you hit the six week mark it's plain sailing and an absolute gift. It's an amazing bonding experience too.

diomed

somesoldiers wrote: »

I have a huge problem with breast feeding in public....the baby's head always gets in the way and you can't get a good look at the diddy

I must be very immature because I laughed bigly.
(fwiw I've seen thousands in Africa, probably tens of thousands.)

andekwarhola

Its essential benefit as a staple in the passive-aggressive armoury of online parenting is well documented.

Roger Hassenforder

it allows new fathers re-establish their sleeping patterns after the disruption of a new baby

Paddy Cow

lazygal wrote: »

The main thing is sterilising the formula because it has harmful bacteria if the bottles aren't prepared correctly.
I've breastfed two children, one to 14 months and another to four years and counting. It wasn't because I thought I'd turn them into geniuses. it was because it works for us.
Bottle feeding is a pain.

Am I reading this right - you're breastfeeding a four year old?

Edit: did you mean months?

s7ryf3925pivug

Human milk ogliosaccharides (2fl hmo) are newly available formula ingredient that have been shown to provide a lot of the benefits to immunity that breast milk does. While their use has been approved in tbe EU unfortunately no products are currently on the Irish market that include them.

Even if unable to breast feed, new mothers can gain a lot of the benefits to themselves if they can pump and dump.

The breast feeding zealotry you have to work through to find any info on alternatives is unfortunate. It's not an option for everyone. If you're actually trying to research the topic then you probably dont need to have "breast is best" shoved in your face at every oppurtunity.

somesoldiers

Interesting fact (or maybe not) but supermarkets are not allowed include formula in their club card points under some EU rule as it encourages non breast feeding.i always forget when I get to the counter in Super Valu and am trying to use just spend enough to use my Spend €50 get €8 back voucher

Also some foreigners are buying up boxes for f formula and shipping it back home so they have quotas of two per person inmost places,found out interesting formula fact #2 when researching #1.Find that hard to believe though at €13 a pop

Lucyfur

Paddy Cow wrote: »

Am I reading this right - you're breastfeeding a four year old?

Edit: did you mean months?

Loadsa women are extended breastfeeders, feeding well beyond the WHO recommendation of 2 years.

wexie

somesoldiers wrote: »

Also some foreigners are buying up boxes for f formula and shipping it back home so they have quotas of two per person inmost places,found out interesting formula fact #2 when researching #1.Find that hard to believe though at €13 a pop

I think that's because there have been so many scandals of tainted formula worldwide they'd be happy to send stuff home they know is safe.

conorhal

mojesius wrote: »

It beats having to sterilise bottles and measure out formula all the time and nappies are less toxic.

And also happens to be free.

conorhal

donegaLroad wrote: »

The biggest benefit of breastfeeding is strengthening your childs immune system as they develop.

Not to mention the psychological positives of mother/child bonding.

The_Valeyard

Breasts are like the Borg, the mothers breast can adapt to suit the babies need and fill in what it is missing. Mental stuff but really cool.

Lucyfur

conorhal wrote: »

And also happens to be free.

You just don't tell your partner about all the online shopping you do while trapped under a boobin' baby.

<. <

conorhal

Lucyfur wrote: »

Loadsa women are extended breastfeeders, feeding well beyond the WHO recommendation of 2 years.

Bitty?

(Yeah, little Britton ref)

Not moving to solid food when a child's system is adapted to it is like a needy bird keeping a fledgling in the nest until it forgets to fly.

conorhal

Lucyfur wrote: »

You just don't tell your partner about all the online shopping you do while trapped under a boobin' baby.

<. <

That's just 'efficient time management and multi-tasking'...

wexie

Lucyfur wrote: »

You just don't tell your partner about all the online shopping you do while trapped under a boobin' baby.

<. <

That's not funny, my wife had to take groupon off her phone when random stuff started arriving at the house that she swore she didn't order.

Looked into the order history.....3am.... 2.30 am.....4 am.....

anyways, steam cleaner is kinda handy to be honest

ceadaoin.

conorhal wrote: »

Bitty?

(Yeah, little Britton ref)

Not moving to solid food when a child's system is adapted to it is like a needy bird keeping a fledgling in the nest until it forgets to fly.

I'm pretty sure the 4 year old isn't being sustained solely on breast milk. That would be impossible. Some kids have the odd feed for comfort at that age.

conorhal

wexie wrote: »

That's not funny, my wife had to take groupon off her phone when random stuff started arriving at the house that she swore she didn't order.

Looked into the order history.....3am.... 2.30 am.....4 am.....

anyways, steam cleaner is kinda handy to be honest

Yeah, but who hasn't fallen prey to the promised life enhancing benefits of a JML product in the blurry hours of the morning regardless of gender. I for one, love my veg spiralizer and super sharp knives that can cut cans....

conorhal

ceadaoin. wrote: »

I'm pretty sure the 4 year old isn't being sustained solely on breast milk. That would be impossible. Some kids have the odd feed for comfort at that age.

Some parents feel the odd need to infantilise children rather then let them develop. Comfort them in a way that is age appropriate rather then regressive. lest you end up with.....


http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-3356084/I-ve-gone-child-Husband-father-seven-52-leaves-wife-kids-live-transgender-SIX-YEAR-OLD-girl-named-Stefonknee.html

lazygal

Paddy Cow wrote: »

Am I reading this right - you're breastfeeding a four year old?

Edit: did you mean months?

No years. Natural weaning is perfectly normal. Of course he eats food.