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Breastfeeding helps brain development
Last reviewed: 02.07.2025
Prematurely born children need breastfeeding significantly more than other children. It has been proven that mother's milk provides the child's body with substances that are necessary for brain development.
Mother's milk has many useful properties. Babies who are breastfed have stronger immune protection, their body has a strong resistance to unfavorable environmental conditions, they have a lower risk of metabolic disorders and the development of oncology. And even more: proteins present in breast milk protect immune cells from the human immunodeficiency virus.
Scientists from the American Children's National Medical Center have pointed out an additional "plus" of the mother's product. As it turns out, breast milk improves the process of brain development in babies who were born prematurely.
The research project was conducted by scientists with the participation of children born from the 32nd week of gestation or even earlier. Their birth weight was less than 1.5 kg. Using the proton MRI method, specialists studied the condition of the cerebellum and white matter in the area of the right frontal lobe of the cerebral cortex. Proton MRI made it possible to evaluate the chemical component of nerve tissue. As it was discovered, the brain of babies who were breastfed received a slightly different amount of important substances, in contrast to children who were fed with formula.
For example, in infants fed with mother's milk, the white matter received more inositol, and the cerebellum received more creatine. Let's talk more about these important components of the brain.
Inositol is a carbohydrate produced in some tissues or organs. Its predominant content is found in the brain: inositol is present in cell membranes, allowing neurotransmitters and certain steroid hormones to interact with cell receptors.
As for creatine, this component potentiates the replenishment of energy resources. This process is especially important for brain activity, especially considering that the child's brain develops literally at a rapid pace. An increase in the level of these components indicates that brain tissues are rapidly changing, maturing and adapting, which is again very important for premature babies.
A little earlier, scientists had already managed to notice the positive effect of mother's milk on the overall development of the brain in premature infants. Now, the new information will help specialists understand what metabolic processes are involved. The results of the research conducted by the center's employees were announced at a regular conference of pediatricians held in Baltimore.
The full study materials are published at medicalxpress.com/news/2019-04-breastfeeding-boosts-metabolites-important-brain.html