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Mental health

Breastfeeding Duration Linked to Reduced Behavioral Problems in Children

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Researchers have discovered a significant association between extended breastfeeding and reduced behavioral problems in children around the age of 3. According to a recent study published in Frontiers in Nutrition, exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months was linked to lower scores for psychosomatic problems. Additionally, breastfeeding for 13 months, compared to 6 months, was associated with a lower risk of behavioral problems, particularly impulsive-hyperactivity. The study suggests that adequate exclusive breastfeeding and extended breastfeeding could reduce behavioral problems in Chinese children.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study involved a cross-sectional analysis of 17,867 3-year-old children in Longhua District, Shenzhen, China.
  • Exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months was significantly associated with lower psychosomatic problem scores.
  • An L-shaped relationship was observed between the duration of exclusive breastfeeding and behavioral problems.
  • Breastfeeding for 13 months, compared to 6 months, was associated with a lower risk of behavioral problems, particularly impulsive-hyperactivity.
  • A linear relationship was observed between total breastfeeding duration and behavioral problems.
  • Jianhui Yang and co-authors conducted the research at Ningbo Municipal Centre for Disease Control and Prevention.
  • Additional authors include Lu Gao, Esben Strodl, Chuanan Wu, Xiaona Yin, Guomin Wen, Dengli Sun, Danxia Xian, and Weiqing Chen.
  • The publisher of the journal Frontiers in Nutrition is Frontiers Media Sa, Avenue Du Tribunal Federal 34, Lausanne, Ch-1015, Switzerland.
  • Keywords for this news article include Asia, Ningbo, Pregnancy, Breastfeeding, Mental Health, Women's Health, Behavior Problem, Behavior Disorders, Health and Medicine, People's Republic of China, Developmental Diseases and Conditions.

Statistics:

  • 14.3% of the 17,867 children had behavioral problems.
  • Exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months was significantly associated with lower psychosomatic problem scores.
  • The L-shaped relationship was observed between the duration of exclusive breastfeeding and behavioral problems.
  • A linear relationship was observed between total breastfeeding duration and behavioral problems.

Sources:

  • The effects of breastfeeding duration on children's behavior problems at around 3 years of age. Frontiers in Nutrition, 2025;12:1651419.
  • Frontiers in Nutrition, Avenue Du Tribunal Federal 34, Lausanne, Ch-1015, Switzerland.
  • NewsRx LLC, October 13, 2025. New Behavior Disorders Findings Reported from Jianhui Yang and Co-Authors (The effects of breastfeeding duration on children's behavior problems at around 3 years of age). Mental Health Weekly Digest.

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