How long a child is breastfed could impact their test scores at age 16. Published in the Archives of Disease in Childhood journal, the study followed approximately 5,000 people in England born between 2000 and 2002. Authors Renee Pereyra-Elias, Claire Carson, and Maria A. Quigley evaluated the duration of breastfeeding and school results at age 16.
Children with longer breastfeeding durations were 38%-39% more likely to achieve higher marks in school, and they were 25% less likely to fail their exams. Specifically, they were more likely to have a high score in English and Math GCSEs, and less likely to fail their English GCSE. There seemed to be no correlation between breastfeeding duration and the failure of Math GCSE.
Longer breastfeeding durations were typically found among older, educated mothers. They were less likely to speak a language other than English at home, and they were less likely to identify as white.
The possibility of higher academic scores wouldn’t be the only benefit to breastfeeding. Infants who are nursed tend to have better immune systems, and other studies have indicated they may be less likely to develop certain conditions like asthma, eczema, and childhood diabetes.
It should be noted, however, that mothers should not feel guilty if they are unable or unwilling to breastfeed. The study only found a correlation between academic performance and breastfeeding duration; it may not be the actual cause.
The age and education of the mother could have had a direct impact on the test scores as well. Other mediating factors, such as parenting technique, diet as the child grew, and socioeconomic circumstances were not factored into the study either.
