ALL over the world there is increasing knowledge and concern about early child development and significant interactions in the family. There is also widespread interest in improving the quality of childcare and in integrating knowledge about the needs of the developing child into our education systems and curriculum. However, the significance of breastfeeding for human development and for the quality of life of families is rarely considered.
The exciting news from research is that breastfeeding is not only important for health, nutrition and the development of a babys trust and sense of security, but enhances brain development and learning readiness as well. For example, special fatty acids in breast milk lead to increased intelligence quotients (IQs) and better visual acuity. Breastfed babies also have fewer ear infections, which have been associated with hearing loss and learning delays.