mula contamination. In fact, infants that were still breast feeding at six months had gained one-and-a-half pounds more, and had had fewer infections. Klaus and Kennell (1976) surmised that these differences may simply reflect the advantages of breast feeding over bottle feeding.
Longitudinal studies have found that children breast fed for as little as three to five months receive benefits and measure "between 0.15 and 0.25 standard deviation units in mean test performance, even after control for confounders" (Horwood and Fergusson, 1998, p. 10). (Confounders are factors that could affect the outcome.) Another study found that breast feeding also correlates to increased "developmental scores at eighteen months and higher intelligence quotients at seven-and-a-half to eight years of age" than children who were not breast fed (Horwood and Fergusson, 1998, p. 10). Other studies have shown that immediate contact helps to establish breast feeding (Rosenblith, 183; Souza et al., 1974; Winters, 1973; Klaus and Kennell, 1976).
Neurodevelopmental research has found that one factor in the improved cognitive abilities of breast fed children "may involve long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, and particularly, docosahexanoic acid (DHA)" found in the breast milk (Horwood and Fergusson, 1998, p. 10).
Studies have also looked at the effect of breast feeding on the mother and found correlations exist that indicate breast feeding has potential health benefits for the mother as well as the infant.
It has long been acknowledged that breast feeding increases levels of cytocin, resulting in less postpartum bleeding and more rapid uterine involution. Lactational amenorrhea causes less menstrual blood loss over the months after delivery. Recent research demonstrates that lactating women have an earlier return to prepregnant weight, delayed resumption of ovulation with increased child spacing, improved bone remineralization postpartum w...