Exclusive or longer duration of breastfeeding (at least six months) is associated with reduced odds of developmental delays, according to a study published online March 24 in JAMA Network Open.

Inbal Goldshtein, Ph.D., from the KI Research Institute in Kfar Malal, Israel, and colleagues estimated the independent association between breastfeeding and attainment of developmental milestones or neurodevelopmental conditions. The analysis included data from 570,532 children identified through a national network for routine child development surveillance.

The researchers found that 52.1% of children were breastfed for at least six months. Breastfeeding for at least six months was associated with fewer delays in attaining language and social or motor developmental milestones versus less than six months of breastfeeding (adjusted odds ratios, 0.73 for exclusive breastfeeding and 0.86 for nonexclusive breastfeeding). Similar findings were seen among 37,704 sibling pairs, with children who were breastfed for at least six months showing lower likelihood of milestone attainment delays (odds ratio, 0.91) or being diagnosed with neurodevelopmental conditions (odds ratio, 0.73) versus their sibling with less than six months of breastfeeding or no breastfeeding.

“In this cohort study, breastfeeding persistence was associated with lower incidence of developmental delays,” the authors write. “These findings may guide parents, caregivers, and public health initiatives in promoting optimal child development.”

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