Breastfeeding increases IQ

Breastfed babies are more intelligent than those raised on formula milk, the most comprehensive study of the issue has found as seen on theage.com.au

The study involved nearly 14,000 children aged over 6.

At the age of 6, children who had been exclusively breastfed scored 7.5 points higher in verbal intelligence tests and 5.9 points higher in overall IQ tests.

Teachers also rated the breastfed children better at reading, writing and mathematics.

Between 2002 and 2005, the doctors interviewed 13,889 of the children and their mothers. "Our study provides the strongest evidence to date that prolonged and exclusive breastfeeding makes kids smarter," said Dr Kramer, whose research appears in the Archives of General Psychiatry.

Breast milk is known to contain essential long-chain fatty acids and insulin-like growth factor, which alone might be responsible for boosting intelligence. Apart from that, it is also free and avaliable anytime, anywhere, at the right temperature and no clean up is needed!

So all you pregnant ladies out there, do your best to breastfeed you child and then we will all reap the rewards!