JAMA Netw Open

Longer breastfeeding linked to improved neurodevelopmental outcomes

March 26, 2025

Study details: This retrospective cohort study analyzed data from a national child development surveillance network in Israel, including 570,532 children born between January 2014 and December 2020. The study examined the duration and exclusivity of breastfeeding and their associations with developmental milestones and neurodevelopmental conditions, using multivariable regression, matching, and within-family analyses to adjust for confounding factors.

Results: Children breastfed for at least 6 months had fewer delays in language, social, and motor developmental milestones compared with those breastfed for less than 6 months. Specifically, the adjusted odds ratios (AORs) for developmental delays were 0.73 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.71-0.76) for exclusive breastfeeding and 0.86 (95% CI, 0.83-0.88) for non-exclusive breastfeeding. Among sibling pairs, those breastfed for at least 6 months had lower odds of milestone delays (OR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.86-0.97) and neurodevelopmental conditions (OR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.66-0.82).

Clinical impact: Promoting exclusive or longer breastfeeding duration may reduce the risk of developmental delays and neurodevelopmental conditions. This evidence supports public health initiatives and clinical recommendations to encourage breastfeeding for at least the first 6 months of life to optimize early child development.

Source:

Goldshtein I, et al. (2025, March 3). JAMA Netw Open. Breastfeeding Duration and Child Development. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40126480/