Breastfeeding reduces the likelihood of academic failure

A recent study in Scotland showed that babies who are breastfed or fed a mixture of breast milk and formula during the first six to eight months of birth are less likely to develop learning problems when they reach school age.

The study, conducted by a research team from the University of Glasgow and published in the scientific journal PLOS Medicine, involved more than 190,<> children to determine the impact of breastfeeding on growth later in life.

During the study, the research team examined educational data on 745,191 children born in Scotland from 2004 onwards, and also looked at children who attended special needs schools between 2009 and 2013.

2.66% of the study participants received formula milk, 3.25% were breastfed and 5.8% were breastfeeding and formula milk.
The study found that babies who were breastfed or mixed were 10% to 20% less likely to have learning problems compared to babies who were fed formula, and that babies who were breastfed were 20% less likely to develop behavioral and emotional problems and 25% more likely to have psychological problems.
Special educational needs in the study mean reduced academic concentration, higher absenteeism and isolation, and increased risk of bullying and abuse, all of which can affect a child's mental health.

Researcher Michael Fleming, from the School of Health and Safety at the University of Glasgow, told Medical Express, "The results of this study indicate that the pattern of nutrition in childhood is associated with the special educational needs of children, and therefore paying attention to this problem can reduce the burden of caring for these children and reduce the repercussions of this problem on their families and society in general."