Breastfeeding is associated with improved child cognitive development: evidence from the UK Millennium Cohort Study

Abstract

To assess the relationship between breastfeeding and child cognitive development, and whether this relationship varies according to prematurity.Population-based cohort (Sweeps 1 and 3 of the UK Millennium Cohort Study).UK.11 801 white singleton children born in 2000–2002.Children were grouped according to their breastfeeding status (ever vs never; and duration of any and exclusive breastfeeding). Results were stratified according to gestational age at birth: 37–42 weeks (term); 33–36 weeks (moderately preterm); and 28–32 weeks (very preterm).British Ability …