Health Diaries » Child and Teen Health » October 2006

October 3, 2006

Breastfeeding and Baby's Intelligence

Some previous studies have suggested that breastfed babies grow up to be smarter than their non-breastfed peers. A new study says there is no evidence that this is true.

The researchers ... identified 332 sibling pairs in which one child was breastfed and the other was not. No significant difference in intelligence was found among the breastfed and nonbreastfed siblings.

Researchers are quick to clarify that they believe breastfeeding is overall better for the baby than not doing so. Thought it has no impact on intelligence, it is beneficial to the baby for many other reasons.

Breastfeeding has been shown to lower an infant's risk of infections and even sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and it is believed to help protect against allergies, diabetes, and obesity later in life.

Breastfed Babies Aren't Smarter

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October 2, 2006

Mother's Voice Wakes Kids Faster Than Smoke Alarms

A new study published in the October issue of Pediatrics has found that a mother's voice wakes a child much better than a smoke alarm does.

"The bad news is that the study confirms early reports that children do not respond adequately to conventional residential smoke alarms," said study author Dr. Gary A. Smith, director of the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Children's Hospital, in Columbus, Ohio. "The good news is that the study showed children do respond to their parent's voice smoke alarm."

Smoke Alarms With Mother's Voice Wake Kids Faster

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