Breastfeeding provides nourishment and comfort to babies, but did you know it also affects the brain? Breastfeeding impacts the brains and neurodevelopment of both mother and child in numerous ways. For mothers, breastfeeding may reduce stress, increase oxytocin levels, and even impact brain structure. For babies, breastfeeding supports healthy brain development and influences cognitive function. Keep reading to learn more about how breastfeeding shapes the brain.
How does breastfeeding affect the mother’s brain?
Breastfeeding elicits biological and emotional responses in mothers that can positively impact the brain:
Reduces stress and anxiety
Breastfeeding releases oxytocin, prolactin, and other hormones that promote feelings of calm and bonding. This helps lower stress and anxiety levels in breastfeeding mothers. One study found that extended breastfeeding duration correlated with lower perceived stress and symptoms of depression. The relaxing hormonal milieu induced by breastfeeding may help explain this effect.
Increases oxytocin levels
Oxytocin, sometimes called the “love hormone,” surges during breastfeeding. It encourages bonding between mother and infant. Oxytocin also decreases blood pressure and cortisol levels, further reducing stress. These biological responses may support positive emotional health and relationships.
Alters brain structure
Brain scans show structural differences in the brains of women who breastfed compared to those who did not. Grey matter volume is higher in some brain regions related to social cognition and regulating emotions. More grey matter may reflect added neural processing power gained from the breastfeeding experience.
Enhances cognition
Some research indicates breastfeeding improves working memory and executive functioning in mothers. This cognitive boost may stem from the stimulation of regularly using these skills during the demanding first months of breastfeeding. The cognitive benefits seem greatest for mothers who exclusively breastfeed.
How does breastfeeding support infant brain development?
Breastmilk provides ideal nourishment for babies’ rapidly growing brains:
Supports healthy neurological development
The fatty acids, hormones, and immune factors in breastmilk help lay the structural foundation for the developing infant brain. They play key roles in nerve growth, myelination, and neuronal connectivity. Breastfed infants show more robust white matter growth compared to formula-fed peers.
Provides building blocks for the brain
Substances like DHA, cholesterol, and amino acids in breastmilk provide the raw materials needed for brain cell membranes and neurotransmitters. Breastmilk hormones stimulate receptors on neurons and impact development. The nutritional content is optimally balanced for infant brain construction.
Shapes neurodevelopmental outcomes
Research consistently demonstrates improved cognitive outcomes in breastfed children. On assessments and IQ tests, breastfed infants and children score higher in areas like language, memory, and motor function compared to formula-fed peers. Brain imaging also shows activation differences in regions related to cognition and language.
May influence brain size
One study found a positive correlation between breastfeeding duration and both brain volume and white matter connectivity at school age. While not conclusive, this suggests breastfeeding may have lasting structural effects that increase total brain capacity.
Protects from toxins that impair development
Environmental toxins like lead, flame retardants, and plasticizers can disrupt neurodevelopment. Breastmilk contains nutrients that decrease absorption of toxins and counteract their negative effects. Breastfeeding provides a buffer against such threats to the infant brain.
How does breastfeeding affect cognition and behavior?
The combined impact of breastfeeding on brain structure and function manifests through cognitive and behavioral differences observed in children and adults who were breastfed as infants.
Enhances IQ
On average, breastfed infants score over 5 points higher on standardized IQ tests. The IQ boost is most pronounced for exclusively breastfed babies and persists through adolescence and adulthood.
Improves language and communication skills
Multiple studies find improved verbal ability, receptive vocabulary, and language processing efficiency in breastfed versus formula-fed infants. Enhanced language development is one of the most consistent effects of breastfeeding.
Bolsters academic performance
Breastfed children have higher grades and standardized test scores in math, reading, and writing compared to their non-breastfed peers. They are also less likely to require remedial academic services. The cognitive advantages of breastfeeding may drive better scholastic success.
Reduces risk of ADHD
Breastfed infants have a lower risk of developing ADHD later in childhood. Suboptimal brain development and dopamine signaling may play a role. The fatty acids in breastmilk support neuronal growth and inhibit inflammatory pathways that impact dopamine.
Lowers chances of autism
Multiple studies demonstrate a decreased risk of autism spectrum disorders in breastfed babies. Though not fully understood, the rich nutrition and immune factors in breastmilk may help prevent deviations in early brain development that contribute to autism.
How long should you breastfeed for maximum brain benefits?
Many of the structural brain changes and cognitive advantages associated with breastfeeding appear greatest with longer duration:
6 months or longer
Major health organizations recommend exclusively breastfeeding for at least 6 months and continuing partial breastfeeding thereafter. Developing infant brains derive the most benefit from sustained nutrition and bioactive components in breastmilk.
1 year or longer
Brain benefits accumulate with longer breastfeeding duration. Myelination, white matter volume, cortical thickness, and other structural gains plateau around 1 year. Extending breastfeeding beyond a year continues providing nutrients, protection, and cognitive stimulation.
2 years or longer
The WHO recommends breastfeeding up to 2 years and beyond. Studies find additional IQ boosts and enhanced social-emotional development with longer breastfeeding duration. Breastmilk remains a brain-nourishing source of nutrition and stimulation for toddlers.
Exclusive is best
Introducing formula or solids too early undermines some effects of breastfeeding. Exclusively breastfeeding for at least the first 6 months provides newborn brains with the full spectrum of benefits. Combining breastfeeding with pumping or donor milk can extend exclusive duration.
Breastfeeding supports lifelong brain health
The neuroprotective effects of breastfeeding do not disappear after weaning. Some impacts extend across the lifespan to support ongoing brain function and deter age-related decline.
Enhances adult cognition
Adults who were breastfed tend to have better memory, information processing speed, and executive function compared to their non-breastfed peers. Nutritional support during critical developmental windows may boost lasting cognitive reserves.
Lowers dementia risk
One large study found adults over age 60 who had been breastfed had a reduced chance of both Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia. The anti-inflammatory effects of breastmilk may help stave off age-related neural deterioration.
Protects brain structure
Middle-aged adults who were breastfed had larger grey matter volumes in brain scans compared to their formula-fed counterparts. The structural integrity preserved by breastfeeding may increase neural resilience against damage over time.
Wards off cognitive decline
Formerly breastfed adults are less prone to age-related decreases in memory, learning, and other cognitive functions. Along with structural differences, metabolic programming driven by early breastmilk nutrition may help maintain mental acuity.
Conclusion
Breastfeeding uniquely influences both maternal and infant brains, with a range of functional consequences extending into childhood and beyond. The neurological development catalyzed by breastmilk lays a strong foundation for lifelong cognitive health. While breastfeeding poses challenges for many families, recognizing its hidden brain benefits can provide motivation and encouragement during those difficult early months. Supporting maternal breastfeeding goals empowers mothers to take an active role in promoting their own and their children’s brain health.