Breastfeeding is associated with enhanced learning abilities in school-aged children

Table 3 Association of LDES scores with breastfeeding

LDES score, mean (SD)	Ever-breastfed participants (N = 516)	Never-breastfed participants (N = 352)	Model 1		Model 2^a		Model 3^b		Effect size (Model 3)
	Ever-breastfed participants (N = 516)	Never-breastfed participants (N = 352)	Β (95% CI)	p value	Β (95% CI)	p value	Β (95% CI)	p value	Effect size (Model 3)
LDES
Listening	11.4 (2.2)	11.2 (2.5)	0.28 (−0.04, 0.60)	0.085	0.35 (−0.71, 0.57)	0.126	0.30 (−0.04, 0.63)	0.080	0.056
Thinking	11.4 (1.8)	11.2 (2.1)	0.23 (−0.04, 0.50)	0.089	0.19 (−0.70, 0.50)	0.150	0.19 (−0.08, 0.46)	0.165	0.041
Speaking	11.7 (2.0)	11.2 (2.3)	0.49 (0.21, 0.78)	0.001	0.50 (0.21, 0.79)	0.001	0.49 (0.20, 0.79)	0.001	0.058
Reading	11.3 (2.1)	10.8 (2.4)	0.44 (0.14, 0.74)	0.005	0.38 (0.67, 0.99)	0.011	0.37 (0.07, 0.67)	0.015	0.076
Writing	11.3 (2.0)	10.9 (2.4)	0.43 (0.14, 0.73)	0.004	0.47 (0.08, 0.65)	0.012	0.34 (0.05, 0.63)	0.022	0.101
Spelling	10.9 (2.3)	10.4 (2.8)	0.52 (0.18, 0.86)	0.003	0.46 (0.13, 0.78)	0.006	0.42 (0.09, 0.76)	0.013	0.117
Mathematical calculation	11.8 (1.5)	11.4 (2.1)	0.37 (0.12, 0.61)	0.003	0.26 (0.03, 0.50)	0.028	0.27 (0.03, 0.51)	0.026	0.048
Learning quotient	108.8 (9.0)	105.6 (11.4)	2.23 (0.86, 3.59)	0.001	1.97 (0.65, 3.30)	0.004	1.95 (0.59, 3.31)	0.005	0.092

LDES Learning disability evaluation scale, SD standard deviation
^a Covariates include age, gender, area of residence, annual family income, years of maternal education, and age of mother at birth
^b Covariates include age, gender, area of residence, annual family income, years of maternal education, age of mother at birth, and maternal IQ

ISSN: 1753-2000