Ever wondered if breastfeeding could boost a mom’s intellect? Well, a recent study from Brigham Young University suggests that the real secret sauce behind smart babies is actually their mothers! Led by researcher Alex Hartman, the study found that two key parenting skills can significantly enhance a baby’s cognitive development: moms who respond to their children’s emotional cues and those who start reading to their kiddos as early as nine months. In simpler terms, breastfeeding mothers tend to be more attuned to their babies’ needs, both emotionally and physically, and they kick-start their little ones’ learning journeys sooner.
Published in The Journal of Pediatrics, Hartman and his team analyzed data from a national study that tracked 75,000 mothers and their babies from birth up to five years. They looked at the home environment, including how often and how early parents read to their children, and even recorded activities between mothers and babies to assess supportiveness during challenging tasks.
The findings revealed that the most disadvantaged children often missed out on the crucial parenting they needed in their early years. Notably, children breastfed for at least six months performed better in reading assessments, likely because they experienced more optimal parenting practices. The research indicated that increased sensitivity to emotional cues and early reading could equate to two to three months of brain development by age four.
Hartman emphasized, “It’s truly the quality of parenting that makes the difference. While breastfeeding has its benefits, this research highlights a better understanding of how interventions can enhance school readiness. For four-year-olds, even a month or two can make a significant impact, especially for children on the brink of requiring special education support.”
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In summary, breastfeeding may play a role in enhancing a mother’s awareness and responsiveness, ultimately benefiting the child’s cognitive development. The connection between nurturing practices and intelligence is becoming clearer, suggesting that how we parent can significantly shape a child’s future.
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