This is the importance of breastfeeding in cognitive development
A specialist claims that breastfeeding not only strengthens the immune system and protects infants from disease, but can also boost neurological development by 3 to 7% in babies who receive it compared to those who don't.
In an interview with EFE , Adalberto Ramón González Astiazarán, a pediatric neurologist at the ABC Medical Center, emphasized that breastfed children perform better in motor, cognitive, and attention skills both in early childhood and in school and adulthood.
"Studies show between 3% and 7% better performance on neurological tests in breastfed babies , even when comparing populations with similar socioeconomic conditions and maternal ages," the expert noted, in the context of World Breastfeeding Week, which is commemorated from August 1 to 7.
González Astiazarán explained that breast milk contains long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, neurotransmitters, and hormonal factors that are essential for brain development , elements that are not found in the same proportions in dairy formulas.
"We can divide babies into three groups: those who are directly breastfed, those who receive expressed breast milk, and those who are formula-fed . The greatest neurological benefit is seen in the first group," he explained.
Beyond nutrition, the specialist emphasized that breastfeeding strengthens the emotional bond between mother and baby and promotes the development of nonverbal communication, affective codes, and emotional security from the first months.
However, she acknowledged that in Mexico and Latin America, multiple barriers persist that hinder exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of life, as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) . Among these, she highlighted employment, socioeconomic, cultural, and maternal health factors .
"The workplace is often one of the main obstacles. Many mothers don't have adequate spaces to express milk or refrigerate it. Without these conditions, maintaining exclusive breastfeeding becomes unviable," she warned.
The neurologist also noted that there is still misinformation surrounding breastfeeding and myths that affect women's decisions.
" Sometimes there is rejection from the partner or fears about the impact on the woman's body image, which has no scientific basis," he added.
González Astiazarán called on the region's health systems to strengthen breastfeeding promotion from a comprehensive, evidence-based approach.
"We need clear, sustained campaigns with trained professionals, and above all, we need to provide the necessary support to mothers so they can exercise this right without obstacles," she concluded.
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