Previous studies have shown that exclusive breastfeeding is associated with lower odds of having autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in children, but data are lacking in Asian countries, especially China.
Genetics. Several different genes appear to be involved in autism spectrum disorder. For some children, autism spectrum disorder can be associated with a genetic disorder, such as Rett syndrome or fragile X syndrome. For other children, genetic changes (mutations) may increase the risk of autism spectrum disorder.
Preschoolers who are breastfed have a lower risk of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. To what extent does breastfeeding prevent attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children? There is significant evidence that children who are breastfed have fewer behavioral problems, even into adolescence.
Breast and mixed-fed babies are at lower risk of having special educational needs. Children who are exclusively breastfed or fed a mix of formula and breastmilk for the first six to eight weeks of life are at lower risk of having special educational need and learning disabilities, according to a new study.
Two recent meta-analyses suggest that breastfeeding is protective against ASD17,18. Ghozy et al. found a reduction in the risk of ASD of 58% with ever breastfeeding, 76% with ever exclusive breastfeeding and 54% with extended breastfeeding for 6 months.
Breast milk provides infants with the best nutrition possible while simultaneously supporting healthy early brain development. Breastfeeding is shown to improve cognitive performance and has been associated with better educational achievement later in life.
Breastfeeding Mothers Feel Calmer
Studies have suggested that lactation gives mothers helpful hormonal releases of oxytocin, which help them to relax and reduce “fight or flight” hormones. Instead of feeling panicked in times of stress, breastfeeding mums are more likely to feel “calm and connected.”
Advances in diagnostic capabilities and greater understanding and awareness of autism spectrum disorder seem to be largely driving the increase, the Rutgers researchers said. But there's probably more to the story: Genetic factors, and perhaps some environmental ones, too, might also be contributing to the trend.
There are many different factors that have been identified that may make a child more likely to have ASD, including environmental, biologic, and genetic factors.
Does The Father Or Mother Carry The Autism Gene? Autism was always thought to have a maternal inheritance component, however, research suggests that the rarer variants associated with the disorder are usually inherited from the father.
While autism is typically not diagnosed before the age of 2 (and often much later), it can sometimes be detected earlier. A 2022 study found that a routine second-trimester ultrasound could detect early signs of autism during pregnancy,19 including anomalies in the heart, head, and kidneys.
At the same time, firstborn children also showed an increased incidence — 30 percent more than second-borns and 70 percent more than those born third or later.
A routine prenatal ultrasound can identify early signs of autism, study finds. Summary: A routine prenatal ultrasound in the second trimester can identify early signs of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), a new study has found.
The breastfed group showed a greater number of above-average IQ test scores (35 vs. 23%; P = 0.479) and better SI scores (78 vs. 55%; P = 0.066) compared with the bottle-fed group.
Some researchers suggest that it only appears that breastfeeding is responsible for the increase in intelligence and problem-solving skills, but that's not the case. Instead, the reason breastfed children do better is because they are more likely to grow up in an environment that supports cognitive development.
Breastfeeding can help protect babies against some short- and long-term illnesses and diseases. Breastfed babies have a lower risk of asthma, obesity, type 1 diabetes, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Breastfed babies are also less likely to have ear infections and stomach bugs.
According to their dose-response meta-analysis, breastfeeding a baby for six months was linked to a 54% reduction in risk. In the conventional meta-analysis, the greatest reduction in the risk of autism spectrum condition was associated with prolonged breastfeeding of young children, between 12 to 24 months.
The results of this preliminary study indicate that children who were not breastfed or were fed infant formula without docosahexaenoic acid/arachidonic acid supplementation were significantly more likely to have autistic disorder.
Inheritance. ASD has a tendency to run in families, but the inheritance pattern is usually unknown. People with gene changes associated with ASD generally inherit an increased risk of developing the condition, rather than the condition itself.
So… the rule of three refers to time - ie 3 hours, 3 days or 3 months. 3 hours: If you pump and plan to use your breastmilk straight away, you can leave it out at room temperature for 3 hours.
Use rule of 4s: General guidelines for milk storage are 4 hours at room temperature, 4 days in refrigerator, and 6 months or longer in freezer. Thawed frozen milk should be used within 24 hours.
In fact, some women can find that breastfeeding triggers or further contributes to stress, or even more severe maternal mental health issues, such as postpartum anxiety and/or depression. Other situations where breastfeeding could be more challenging for a new mother might include: Chronic physical/medical illness.