Omega-3 DHA in breastfeeding: intake increases children's attention span
Breastfeeding and Omega 3: taking DHA will improve children's attention span
The intake of about 200 milligrams per day of Omega 3 DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) by new breastfeeding mothers during the 4 months following childbirth increases the prolonged attention capacity of children at 5 years old. This was demonstrated by research published in the Journal of Pediatrics, where researchers from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston (USA) analyzed the effect of this fatty acid in breast milk on the neuropsychological status of the children. The same research also highlighted that DHA intake during this period does not influence the visual capacities of children of this age.
Omega-3 during pregnancy and breastfeeding
Taking Omega-3 during pregnancy is essential to promote the proper development of the fetal nervous system as well as to reduce the risk of dangerous complications for both mother and baby, such as miscarriage and preterm birth. Several studies have also shown that a proper intake of Omega-3 during pregnancy and breastfeeding protects children's health even after birth. Children of women who consume these fatty acids during these periods have a lower risk of developing conditions such as asthma, certain allergies, and inflammatory disorders. Omega-3s also have a beneficial effect on children suffering from:
- behavioral disorders
- attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- dyslexia
The intelligence quotient of children can also be positively influenced by consuming these nutrients during pregnancy.
Omega-3 for more attentive children
Researchers from Houston had already brought to light an interesting fact: 2-and-a-half-year-old children who are breastfed during the first 4 months of life by mothers who take DHA show better psychomotor development. The new research focused on the neuropsychological and visual abilities of these children at 5 years old. During breastfeeding, mothers were divided into two groups:
- mothers in the first group took daily capsules containing about 200 milligrams of DHA up to 4 months after childbirth;
- those in the second group were given a vegetable oil without this fatty acid.
Researchers evaluated the motor, visual, executive, vocal, and attention skills of the children at the age of five. The data revealed that children of women who took DHA achieved better results in attention span tests. In particular, these children scored an average of 46.5 points on the specific scale used for evaluation. Children who did not receive the fatty acid through breast milk scored an average of only 41.9 points. All other parameters considered were comparable between the two groups.
