Keeping Abreast?

Breastfed children have higher intelligence Quotients (IQ) than bottle-fed alternatives. An Oxford University study has now found that UK children breastfed for 12 months are more likely to get top grades in General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) exams than children raised on formula. They were three times more likely to get the highest grade in GCSE maths and English (https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/06/06/breastfed-children-more-likely-to-get-a-grade-gcses/). This impact on educational attainment, was still evident after controlling for other factors like socio-economic factors (richer parents are more likely to employ tutors for their children) and the IQ of their mother. It's, of course, difficult to determine how this effect is achieved. Perhaps, the superior nutrition has an impact on brain development? More effective bonding could also be a factor. There must be a danger, of course, of making mothers who can't lactate for the required period (through no fault of their own), feel even worse about their early parenting.