Skip to main content

Breast feeding for longer 'could help babies develop bigger brains'

By Shweta Pandey

Breast feeding for longer could help babies develop bigger brains, new research has revealed.

A three-year study of 128 mammal species, including humans, found that longer pregnancies and longer suckling times produce bigger brains in babies - possibly leading to a higher IQ.

The research, carried out by Durham University scientists, has been welcomed by
specialists and adds more weight to the argument that 'breast is best.'

Professor Robert Barton from the university's Department of Anthropology, said: 'Our findings cannot say whether formula milk for babies is adequate or just as good as a mother's milk in the development of a baby's brain, but it does raise questions that could be further investigated.

'The research we have done helps us to understand what the implications are of
evolutionary changes at different stages before and after birth.

'And we have discovered that brain growth in babies is linked to the amount of time and energy mothers invest in their child.

'There is a strong relationship between specific issues in the way a mother invests in producing her offspring and a link between growth of the foetus and length of gestation.

'We now need to do more research into how growth before and after birth affects the anatomy of the brain.'

The scientists focused on brain and body size, maternal investment and life history variables in mammals, such as gorillas and whales. Published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the study
suggests that women who breastfeed their babies for up to three years following
nine-month pregnancies have a long period of dependency because it is required
to support the growth of 1,300 cubic centimetre (cc) brains.

But animals such as fallow deer, which have roughly the same body weight as humans, are pregnant for just seven months with a suckling period of up to six
months.

This results in 220cc brains - six times smaller than human brains.

Helen Robinson, public health specialist at NHS North of Tyne, said the analysis will support the World Health Organisation's advice of six months exclusive breastfeeding followed by suckling up to the age of two or beyond, supplemented with solid foods.

She added: 'This reinforces the need to encourage mothers to breastfeed in the first six months of a child's life and then for as long as possible after that.'

Mother-of-three Kerrie Graham, 27, from Newcastle, is breastfeeding her 10-month-old son Owen.

She said: 'It's really encouraging. It just goes to show how important breastfeeding is.'

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Managing Breast Cancer Fears

By Shweta Pandey
There are various kinds of fear that one encounters with respect to breast cancer. A variety of fears pertaining to each stage of breast cancer, beginning from a suspicion of breast cancer after locating symptoms proceeding to fears that actually grip both wives and husbands after the confirmation of breast cancer through a diagnosis. The fear of a diagnosis prevents many women from meeting a doctor, but this should not be the case. One should be encouraged to see a doctor immediately because the treatment process for breast cancer must begin as soon as possible. After the diagnosis, there are common fears pertaining to the risk of a recurrence of breast cancer or the spread of breast cancer. To manage the aforementioned breast cancer fears, one may adopt a variety of approaches. It is possible for women affected by breast cancer to go into denial or to avoid an acceptance of the situation. This may not, in the long term, be the best coping mechanism since there may be graver em...
1 comment
Read more

Natural Remedies to Prevent and Treat Kidney Stones

By Shweta Pandey
The Complete  Revive Kidneys Package  from  Planet Ayurveda  is one of the  best Natural Remedies for various kidney disease  i.e.  kidney failure ,  kidney stones, dialysis, Nephrotic Syndrome, Nephritis, Diabetic Nephropathy, Urethral Strictures, Urinary Tract Infections, Acute or Chronic Renal Failure, Increased Urea and Creatinine . What are Kidney Stones? The formation of stones in the kidneys or urinary tract is a fairly common disorder. The stones are formed from the chemicals usually found in the urine such as uric acid, phosphorous, calcium and oxalic acid. They may vary in consistency from grit, sand and gravel-like obstructions to the size of the bird’s eggs. Stones may form and grow because the concentration of a particular substance in a urine exceeds its solubility. This disorder occurs more frequently in middle age, with men being afflicted more often than women. The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs, lying below t...
3 comments
Read more

How to increase sperm count / semen cure remedy

By Shweta Pandey
Sperm Count : Semen is a white or grey liquid, but can occasionally appear yellowish. Pink or red semen suggests that blood is present. Although this is only rarely due to a serious health problem. Usually, each milliliter of semen contains millions of spermatozoa (sperm), but the majority of the volume consists of secretions of the glands in the male reproductive organs. The purpose of semen is purely for reproduction, as a vehicle to carry the spermatozoa into the female reproductive tract. The WHO provides a definition of a 'normal' sperm count: the concentration of spermatozoa should be at least 20 million per ml. the total volume of semen should be at least 2ml. the total number of spermatozoa in the ejaculate should be at least 40 million. at least 75 per cent of the spermatozoa should be alive (it is normal for up to 25 per cent to be dead). at least 30 per cent of the spermatozoa should be of normal shape and form. at least 25 per cent of t...
1 comment
Read more