A new study has found that longer durations of breastfeeding may lead to better brain development and cognitive function during adolescence. Published in Pediatric Research, the findings come from a large U.S.-based study using data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study.
Researchers analyzed brain scans and cognitive test results from over 5,000 children aged 9 to 10. They discovered that teens who were breastfed longer had increased cortical thickness, surface area, and improved fluid cognition. Cortical myelin, important for brain signaling, also showed positive changes.
Why It Matters
Previous studies have shown that breastfeeding helps infants and young children, but its effects during adolescence have not been well studied. This new research adds evidence that breastfeeding’s benefits extend well beyond infancy. Adolescence is a time of major brain growth, making this link especially important.
Study Details
The researchers used MRI scans and cognitive testing tools like the NIH Toolbox to assess the participants. They tracked changes over two years and grouped children by breastfeeding duration: never, 1–6 months, 7–12 months, and more than 12 months.
The study found that longer breastfeeding was linked to improved brain structure and thinking skills. Specifically, 31 brain regions showed thicker cortex and 45 showed increased surface area. These features are linked to better brain performance and protection against age-related cognitive decline.
Fluid cognition, the brain’s ability to solve new problems, improved in a dose-dependent manner—the longer the child was breastfed, the better the scores.
Limitations and Considerations
While the results are promising, the study had limitations. Breastfeeding data came from caregivers recalling events from years ago, which could introduce errors. Also, the observational design means the study can’t prove cause and effect. Socioeconomic status and education levels might also play a role.
Not all participants were reassessed after two years due to COVID-19 disruptions, and most were from similar ethnic backgrounds, which may limit how broadly the results apply.
Public Health Implications
This study supports global health recommendations that encourage exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months and continued breastfeeding up to two years or more. The findings suggest these practices may not only help early development but also support brain health during teenage years.
Researchers call for more studies to understand which breast milk components offer the greatest long-term benefits. They also hope to see similar studies done in more diverse populations and over longer periods.
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