1. Longer breastfeeding duration, particularly exclusive breastfeeding for at least 6 months, is significantly associated with improved developmental outcomes in children.
2. Breastfeeding for at least 6 months was linked to fewer delays in attaining language, social, and motor developmental milestones.
3. The study utilized data from a national network for routine child development surveillance linked with national social insurance financial entitlements for neurodevelopmental deficiencies.
4. The association between breastfeeding duration and developmental outcomes was observed as a dose-response relationship.
5. The research findings support current WHO recommendations for breastfeeding.
6. The odds of milestone attainment delay gradually decreased with longer breastfeeding duration, particularly in the first months of life.
7. Within-family analysis showed that children breastfed for at least 6 months were less likely to demonstrate milestone attainment delays or be diagnosed with neurodevelopmental conditions compared with their siblings who received less than 6 months of breastfeeding or were not breastfed.

Source: JAMA Network Open