Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Do Breastfeeding Moms Have a Stronger Connection to Their Babies?

Like you needed another reason to breastfeed! A study in The Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry has found that mothers who breastfeed exclusively have a stronger bond with their child for the first few months of the baby’s life.

How was the study conducted? Scientists used MRIs to study the neurological responses of breastfeeding moms and formula moms to their baby’s cry. Breastfeeding moms showed greater activity in brain regions related to care-giving behavior and empathy than formula moms.

Great news for breastfeeding moms! But it’s important to note that this study only covered the first few months of life, and measured very specific neurological responses. Moms who can’t breastfeed or who supplement with formula can, of course, bond with their baby in other ways.

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