Norwegian researchers have found that children who are exclusively breastfed for at least six months are less likely to develop attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) than others.
LlWhile the health benefits of breast milk have long been known, its long-term effects on children's health and cognitive development have been the subject of debate. However, a new, first-of-its-kind study, published in the journal Biological Psychiatry, provides significant evidence for the role of breastfeeding in preventing neurodevelopmental disorders.
Researchers from the University of Bergen in Norway analyzed data from over 37,000 children and mothers from the Norwegian "Mother, Father, and Child" study. Six months after giving birth, they asked the mothers about the duration of exclusive breastfeeding and when they began introducing formula or solid foods.
They found that the longer the period of exclusive breastfeeding (up to six months), the lower the levels of disorder symptoms at ages 3, 5 and 8 years. This protective effect was strongest at ages 3 and 5 years, and appeared in both boys and girls.
"The longer the duration of exclusive breastfeeding, the fewer the symptoms of the disorder in early childhood," said Dr. Berit Skretting-Solberg, a psychiatrist and lead author of the study. She added that the protective effect of breastfeeding increases with the duration and intensity of breastfeeding.
The researchers acknowledge they don't know exactly why breastfeeding protects against the disorder, but they hypothesize that breast milk contains nutrients important for brain development. They conclude that exclusive breastfeeding "may partially protect against the symptoms of ADHD in childhood," while emphasizing the need for further studies to confirm the findings.
This is not the first time studies have demonstrated the benefits of breastfeeding. In 2025, a large American review found that breastfeeding reduces the risk of infant mortality, rapid weight gain, infections, and allergies.
