While breastfeeding can create a strong bond between mother and child, the breast milk itself contains all the necessary nutrients, antibodies, and hormones needed to promote healthy growth and development in infants. There have always been question about whether a child who receives a combination of breastmilk and formula is still getting the same benefits.
Breastfeeding, even alongside formula feeding, can have a positive impact on a baby’s brain development, according to a new study from CU Boulder. The research suggests that breastfeeding, even partially, can change the chemical makeup of an infant’s gut, leading to long-term benefits and potentially higher test scores.
“For those who struggle with exclusively breastfeeding, this study suggests your baby can still get significant benefits if you breastfeed as much as you can,” said senior author Tanya Alderete, an assistant professor of integrative physiology at CU Boulder.
The study, published in the journal npj Metabolic Health and Disease, also identifies specific metabolites that may improve brain development and highlights concerning compounds that should be avoided in infant formula.
“Our research suggests that even at low levels, some contaminants found in formula may have negative effects on neurodevelopment,” said first author Bridget Chalifour, a postdoctoral researcher in Alderete’s lab.
The research team examined the metabolites found in the gut and shed in poop, known as the “fecal metabolome,” of 112 infants. They discovered that babies who were breastfed had significantly different levels of metabolites compared to formula-fed babies. At age 2, the children also underwent cognitive, motor, and language tests.
The results showed that babies with more breast milk-associated metabolites in their stool performed better on cognitive tests, while those with more formula-associated metabolites performed worse. Cholesterol was found to be a particularly beneficial metabolite for brain development.
On the other hand, babies who were formula fed had higher levels of a contaminant called cadaverine, which was associated with lower test scores. The study suggests that formula manufacturers should aim to remove this compound entirely.
Interestingly, breastfed babies had higher levels of caffeine in their stool, which may be due to mothers breastfeeding while drinking coffee. However, higher levels of caffeine were associated with poorer cognitive scores, highlighting the importance of limiting caffeine intake during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
While breastfeeding may not be possible for all parents, the researchers hope that their findings can lead to improvements in formula to make it more similar to breast milk. They also emphasize that feeding patterns are just one factor in brain development and should not be seen as the sole determinant.
For moms who are feeling frustrated she says, “Don’t give up. It doesn’t have to be all or nothing. Just increasing the proportion of breastmilk relative to formula may have a positive impact on your developing child.”
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