Here’s a visual demonstration of how your breast-fed baby gets most of his or her DHA.
 
*Please note that this is a simplified visual demo only intended to aid in the understanding of the subject
matter.
 
Aside from many health benefits, recent studies indicate that children who are breastfed score higher on intelligence tests than those who aren’t¹.

What are the key ingredients in breast milk that may contribute to these findings?

Breast milk is found to be rich in omega-3 fatty acids, with a key ingredient being the brain-boosting DHA.
Breastfed babies have been found to have higher concentration of DHA in their brain tissues. DHA is believed to be vital for the growth, development and maintenance of brain cells².

 
 
The largest randomized trial ever in the area of human lactation was conducted to assess if prolonged and exclusive breastfeeding improves a child’s cognitive ability at age 6.5 years. Subtest and IQ scores on the Wechsler Abbreviated Scales of Intelligence, and teacher evaluations of academic performance were the main outcome measures for this study.

The experimental group had higher mean scores in the intelligence measures and their teacher academic ratings were significantly higher for both reading and reading. The results provide strong evidence that prolonged and exclusive breastfeeding improves children’s cognitive development.
Read the full abstract of this research paper here.
 
The DHA levels in your breast milk depend on you!

  If you’re interested in finding out more, here are some links which may be useful to you:

1. Breast is best, but infant formula must contain DHA Omega 3 and AA Omega 6, say experts
2. Why breast is best
3. Breast-fed children found smarter
 
 
1. Ian Sample. “Breast Milk goes straight to the head” The Age. May 7, 2008. Accessed May 8, 2008.
http://www.theage.com.au/news/world/breast-milk-goes-straight-to-the-head/2008/05/06/1209839647845.html. Accessed May 8, 2008.
   
2. “Omega 3 Rich Foods and Pregnancy.” Pregnancy-info.net. May 26, 2008. Accessed May 26, 2008.
http://www.pregnancy-info.net/omega3.html.
Accessed May 26, 2008.

 

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