The Cognitive and Neurodevelopmental Benefits of Breastfeeding:

Breastfeeding is encouraged exclusively until the infant is 6 months and then continuing up until the age of two years and further, as a supplement to solid food. Few infants get this opportunity even though positive effects have been seen. In recent days brain imaging techniques has begun to study the differences in brain development between breastfed and formula fed infants. In this essay methods for assessing the cognitive and neurodevelopmental aspect of breastfeeding aspects will be reviewed. The results found in this review suggest that breastfeeding has a benefit in the development of the brain and in addition a beneficial impact on the parents. This can be seen in faster development of crucial brain areas, better cognitive functions and better maternal sensitivity which in turn relates to a child’s better adjustment. However, it is not clear how these benefits develop, if it is due to breastfeeding or parental characteristics related to breastfeeding.