Breastfeeding is associated with other health benefits
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Children who are breastfed from for the first four months or more are less likely to develop behaviour problems, Oxford researchers say
Breastfeeding is already associated with other health benefits for babies, including lower rates of infection and less likely to suffer from obesity in later life.
The study looked at 100,000 mothers and their babies. They found that 6 per cent of children who were breastfed showed signs of behaviour problems, compared with 16 per cent of children who were formula-fed.
Maria Quigley, who led the study, said, ‘Our results provide even more evidence for the benefits of breastfeeding.’
However the researchers understood that mothers who breastfeed also tend to be older, better educated and from a higher socio-economic background, so this also may contribute towards fewer problems with their children’s behaviour.
Janet Fyle, from the Royal College of Midwives, welcomed the findings but said, ‘We must not send a negative message to mothers and make them feel guilty because they bottle-fed their babies.’
By Lauren King
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