Breastfeeding Duration Linked to Lower ADHD Symptoms, Large Study Finds
A new analysis of over 37,000 families suggests a potential protective association between exclusive breastfeeding and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children.
Key Finding: Longer exclusive breastfeeding (up to six months) was associated with lower levels of ADHD symptoms at ages 3, 5, and 8 years.
The Study Design
Researchers at the University of Bergen analyzed data from the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study (MoBa). Mothers reported when they stopped exclusive breastfeeding and introduced other foods via a questionnaire six months after birth.
The association was present in both boys and girls. The effect was strongest at ages 3 and 5, and weaker by age 8. The protective link increased with the duration and intensity of breastfeeding, with the strongest results seen in children exclusively breastfed for six months.
Separating Cause from Correlation
The study went beyond simple observation. Researchers adjusted for several key factors, including:
- Genetic risk for ADHD
- Sociodemographic factors
- They also conducted sibling analyses, comparing breastfeeding patterns within the same family.
After these adjustments, a clear but moderate protective effect remained.
The Bottom Line
Researcher Berit Skretting Solberg acknowledged the difficulty of establishing causality from observational studies, stating that "heredity is likely the strongest risk factor for ADHD."
However, she noted that "the study suggests that breastfeeding duration may also help protect against ADHD symptom development in young children." The findings underscore a potential non-genetic factor in early childhood development.