Breastfed babies make more money

The intelligence developed by babies from stable breast-feeding carries on into their adulthood and makes them earn more money, according to research.

MUNTINLUPA, PHILIPPINES (Catholic Online) - Although there are existing studies that establish correlation between breastfeeding and higher IQ levels, this new study is the first to show a "direct association" between nursing and higher income.

The study was started back in 1982 and the researchers were able to track down about 3,500 Brazilian adults enrolled within the days of their birth.

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Thirty years had passed and they were tracked down and interviewed in 2012.

The researchers from the Federal University of Pelotas and the Catholic University of Pelotas found that those who were breastfed for six months to one year have monthly incomes 39 percent higher than those who were nursed for less than a month.

The participants who were breastfed as infants more than a year were observed to earn 28 percent more monthly than those who were stopped nursing after a month.

Initially, the mothers were asked how long the children were nursed and at what age were they first introduced to other foods.

At the beginning of the study, breastfeeding was not associated to any socioeconomic class. Yet, in order to clearly correlate, authors also had adjusted for demographic factors that could contribute to their income status.

An IQ test was also administered and they found that those who were breastfed for six to 12 months scored 3.5 more IQ points than those who were nursed for less than one month. The participants who were nursed for more than a year had 3.76 more IQ points.

However, the study was not able to examine the biological aspect of breastfeeding, which may have contributed to higher IQ that then leads to having higher income in adulthood.

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