Study Suggests Breastfed Babies Grow Up Stronger

by Alex A. Kecskes

Medical researchers at the University of Granada recently revealed a number of benefits babies receive when they are breastfed.

For example, adolescents who were breastfed as babies had stronger leg muscles than those who were not breastfed. In addition, muscular leg strength rose in direct correlation to the length of time a baby was breastfed. Researchers also noted that breastfed boys and girls outperformed their non-breastfed counterparts in horizontal jumping, regardless of such factors as fat mass, height or the amount of muscle.

Adolescents who were breastfed from three to five months, or for more than six months had outperformed by nearly double those who had never been breastfed. Researchers noted that if all children were exclusively breastfed from birth, it might be possible to save nearly 1.5 million lives. This was reiterated by UNICEF, which noted that breastmilk is the "perfect feed" exclusively during the first six months of life and additionally over two years.

The advantages of breastfeeding newborns include immunological protection against allergies, skin diseases, obesity and diabetes, as well as a guarantee of the growth, development and intelligence of the baby. Women who breastfeed also enjoy a number of benefits, including reduction of post-birth haemorrhage, anaemia, maternity mortality, and a reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancer. Breastfeeding also strengthens the affective link between mother and child.

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