title: Long-term neurodevelopmental benefits of breastfeeding.
abstract: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of an infant#$#apos;s life, with continuation of breastfeeding for at least a year or as mutually desired by mother and child. A robust body of research literature documenting the short-term medical, developmental, and emotional benefits of breastfeeding for infants and toddlers supports this position. This article reviews the neurodevelopmental benefits of breastfeeding as it relates to preschool and school-age children, with particular emphasis on cognitive development, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and autism spectrum disorder.
  
  
  
  The majority of research studies examining breastfeeding and long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes suggest that children who breastfeed for longer than 6 months have better cognitive outcomes, lower risk of developing attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and lower risk of being diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.
  
  
  
  Pediatricians play a critical role in educating and counseling families about infant nutrition and feeding. Along with the many positive short-term medical effects that breastfeeding confers, physicians should be aware of the growing body of research suggesting that there are also significant long-term neurodevelopmental benefits of breastfeeding.
authors.affiliation: Steven and Alexandra Cohen Children#$#apos;s Medical Center of New York, Northwell Health, New Hyde Park, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Sari
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bar
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Milanaik
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Adesman
mesh_terms: D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development / Q000502:physiology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007227:Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011314:Preventive Health Services; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology