Researchers discover substantial differences in
myelisation between breastfed kids compared to children fed formula or a
combination of formula and breast milk.
In a thought-provoking new study published recently, researchers at
Brown University’s Advanced Baby Imaging Lab have found more evidence of the
beneficial effects of breastfeeding: children brought up exclusively on breast
milk, when compared to formula-only and formula and breast milk children, have
20% to 30% increases in brain white matter growth— the part of the brain that
has been linked to IQ and EQ.
Using quiet MRI
machines to image the babies’ brains during sleep, the researchers at Brown,
studied the differences associated with breastfeeding. The design of the
research involved 133 babies, all from families with similar socio-economic
backgrounds, divided into three groups: breast milk only, breast milk and formula,
and formula only. Looking for growth trajectories, the older children were
compared to the younger ones to establish the differences in the densities of
white matter (tissue that contains long nerve fibres, helping different parts
of the brain communicate).
Commenting on the
findings, Dr Hessa Khalfan Al Ghazal, Director of the Executive Committee for
Sharjah Baby Friendly Emirate Campaign said: “The most interesting aspect is
that, while we’ve known for a while that breastfeeding improves the linguistic,
cognitive, and emotional capacities and capabilities of the brain, this is the
first study to digitally image the effects on children up to 2 years old. This
should be an incentive to any mothers in Sharjah who were considering weaning
their babies before the 24 months recommended by the WHO.”
Dr Al Ghazal also
stressed another key finding in the study: “Myelin, the fatty material that
insulates nerve fibres and speeds electrical signals as they zip around the
brain, was found to increase very early on and at a remarkable rate.”
The study showed a
difference of 20% to 30% growth rate between breastfed kids and non-breastfed,
with combination groups showing more growth than formula only, but less then
breast milk only. Also, looking at the effect of longer periods of
breastfeeding, Deoni and his team found that children who breastfed for longer
than a year had enhanced growth trajectories, particularly in areas of the
brain associated with motor function.
An earlier study,
titled ‘Project Viva’, was led by Dr Mandy Belfort of Boston Children’s
Hospital and involved 1,300 children — making it one of the largest of its
kind. It compared different durations of breastfeeding, to pinpoint how their
performance differed according to the duration of exclusive breastfeeding.
This, again, validates the awareness campaign being conducted in Sharjah to
make the emirate a global leader in breastfeeding adoption rates and providing
a supportive environment for mothers.
Dr Hessa Khalfan Al
Ghazal added: “Mothers in Sharjah will be particularly pleased to know that
according to this study, the benefits do not just apply to better language
skills as babies, but extend far into their school years. Every mother wishes
they could help their child pass their school exams and university exams to
find the best career. Now it’s no longer just a wish but a reality, because
mothers can have a direct impact on their children’s academic performance.
Breastfeeding is literally the ‘smart’ choice for mothers.”
The Sharjah Baby Friendly
Emirate Campaign was initiated in March 2012 under the generous patronage of
Her Excellency Sheikha Budoor bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah
Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), President of the Campaign. The campaign encompasses four initiatives:
Breastfeeding-Friendly Nurseries, Mother and Baby-Friendly Public Places,
Mother-Friendly Workplaces and Baby-Friendly Health Facilities. The campaign is
sponsored by Sharjah Islamic Bank.
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