Breastfed Babies Cope Better with School's Stressors

Breastfeeding offers a host of benefits to both mother and baby, including a stronger immune system for the baby and faster weight loss for mom.

There are even some known psychological benefits from breastfeeding, such as a stronger parent-child bond.

But researchers have discovered another mental bonus - children who are breastfed seem to cope with stress and anxiety more effectively when they reach school age, according to a report in the Archives of Diseases in Childhood.

Mother Bond Protects against Anxiety

In a group of almost 9,000 children between the ages of five and 10, children who were not breastfed and whose parents were getting divorced or separated were 9.4 times more likely to be highly anxious when compared to other children.

But, children who were breastfed as infants and whose parents were getting divorced were only 2.2 times as likely to be highly anxious, the study found.

"Breastfeeding is associated with resilience against the psychosocial stress linked with parental divorce/separation," the study's authors say.

The authors theorize that the physical contact between mother and child in the first few days of life could help form certain neural and hormonal pathways that affect a person's ability to cope with stress later in life.

Breastfeeding experts have long been aware of the mother-baby bond that occurs during breastfeeding.

"There's a lot less verbal communication, but lots of tactile communication and eye contact that promotes positive physiological responses," says Liz Maseth, RN, an outpatient lactation consultant at Akron's Children's Hospital.

"Breastfeeding does seem to suppress stress responses in babies, and it does seem that there's a protective effect," she says.

"In terms of the biological possibility, breast milk is pretty amazing stuff, and the tactile interaction that goes along with breastfeeding does have an influence on the development of neurons," explains Judy Hopkinson, Ph.D., at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas.

Dr. Hopkinson adds that babies who are not breastfed may be able to reap similar benefits with lots of holding and touching.

The study authors also suggest that the bond created during breastfeeding might affect the way the child and the mother interact, and that effect might be long-lasting.

Dr. Hopkinson points out that mothers who are successful at breastfeeding often have a supportive social network, which could also help lessen a child's stress in times of crisis.

Whatever the reason for the association, it was clear that children who had been breastfed were less stressed.

Early Skin-to-Skin Contact Helps

Both Maseth and Dr. Hopkinson say it is very important to try to begin breastfeeding as soon as possible after birth - no more than one hour.

Maseth says this is because the breasts contain glands that release the same scent as amniotic fluid, a scent that babies will recognize.

"For most mothers, breastfeeding doesn't come naturally,” she says. “If the baby doesn't latch on, it can lead to feelings of failure and concern about whether or not the baby is getting enough milk. Women need lots of encouragement and education.”

"Don't give up, though, seek help," she advises, adding that your baby's pediatrician will likely have information on what local breastfeeding resources are available.

"Breastfeeding is something for mothers and babies to enjoy,” says Dr. Hopkinson.

For women who cannot breastfeed, she says, that skin-to-skin contact between mother and baby can also help build a similar bond.

Always consult your child's physician for more information.