A Harvard study published recently showed that children who were breastfed scored higher on IQ test than their formula-fed contemporaries.

A Harvard study published recently showed that children who were breastfed scored higher on IQ test than their formula-fed contemporaries.

Further, those who were breastfed longer and more consistently did even better.

The data was culled from Project Viva, a research endeavor that involved the evaluation of just over 1300 expectant mothers and their subsequent children through to 7 years of age.

Upon examining the children at age 7, the scientists found that for each month of breastfeeding, either solely or combined with formula, the children gained a third of a point in their verbal IQ scores over those who hadn’t. Those who were breastfed exclusively for the first 6 months saw an increase of four-fifths of a point in their verbal IQ scores for each month.

A physicist and author of a different breastfeeding study said that the cognitive benefit isn’t one that presents and fades. Rather, it appears to be a life-long boost.

Exactly how it does it is still unknown.

From a nutrition standpoint, breast milk and formula have the same known elements. That leads the scientists to believe there’s a unique characteristic of the milk that hasn’t been discovered or fully considered yet.