Are breastfed babies better behaved than formula-fed babies?
15 May 2011
Breastfed babies are "better behaved" than formula- fed babies.
A study by researchers at Oxford University has shown that babies who were breastfed for at least four months were 30 per cent less likely at the age of five years to show behavioural issues such as anxiety, clinginess, hyperactivity, lying and stealing than babies who were formula-fed. However, Maria Quigley who led the study has admitted that “we don't know whether it is because of the constituents in breast milk which are lacking in formula, or the interaction with the mum that accounts for this difference”. In other words, there is no scientific evidence that there is anything in the breast milk that will create a better behaved baby. So, to all the mothers out there who were/are unable to breastfeed their baby and are sobbing into their cornflakes after reading yet another study that highlights how much they have ‘failed’ - please don't worry. Babies who are given plenty of time, love and attention throughout their childhood will still grow up to be healthy and happy even if their mother was unable to breastfeed.
On another point ......I cannot understand why so much time and money is wasted on studies such as this. Everyone from health professionals to mothers is already well aware of the benefits of breastfeeding and yet despite endless campaigns, the breastfeeding rates in Britain have not improved and remain amongst the lowest in Europe. Approximately 30% of mothers do not even try to breastfeed and roughly 50% of mothers who do try find it too difficult and give up within a matter of weeks.
Surely it would be better to do a study to discover why we cannot persuade more mothers to breastfeed despite the obvious health benefits and to examine what can be done to help the mothers who are finding it too difficult. This is to my mind would produce far more interesting results than yet another study that simply highlights the benefits of breastfeeding.