Kristin,
I think the story from HealthDay News didn't emphasize quite enough that because this was a randomized experiment of a huge number of women, there really were no measured differences between the two groups in socioeconomic background, parenting styles, etc. (I've read the study.) This is what's supposed to happen if randomization is done properly. I think this is an extremely important study that finally confirms what a lot of other, weaker studies have suggested -- that breastfeeding really does somehow have a good effect on kids' intellectual development. People can find a summary of the study at http://archpsyc.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/short/65/5/578.
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Kristin,
May 5, 2008 - 9:04pmI think the story from HealthDay News didn't emphasize quite enough that because this was a randomized experiment of a huge number of women, there really were no measured differences between the two groups in socioeconomic background, parenting styles, etc. (I've read the study.) This is what's supposed to happen if randomization is done properly. I think this is an extremely important study that finally confirms what a lot of other, weaker studies have suggested -- that breastfeeding really does somehow have a good effect on kids' intellectual development. People can find a summary of the study at http://archpsyc.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/short/65/5/578.
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