Nursery World - Breast is not best, says study

The notion that breast milk is more beneficial to a baby's health than formula is wrong, according to a new study.

Researchers from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology claim the health of a child is determined in the womb.

They found no evidence that breastfeeding reduced the risk of developing allergies and asthma, as previous studies have suggested, and that it brought only a slight benefit to children's IQ.

The study also found a link between the level of male hormones in pregnant women and how much they breastfed after birth.

The researchers followed 180 pregnant women, including those at risk of delivering a small baby, which is known to be influenced by higher levels of the male hormone testosterone. They also reviewed more than 50 international studies on the relationship between breastfeeding and health.

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