Does Prolonged Breast Feeding Affect Speech?

It may be surprising to hear that the natural weaning age for breastfed humans is between 2 and 7. That statistic may sound unrealistic if you consider the data gathered in the Center for Disease Controls 2011 Breastfeeding Report Card. The study indicated that only 75 percent of U.S. mothers start out nursing their babies, and only 45 percent of breastfeeding mothers are still going strong by the time a baby is 6 months old, with only 15 percent still breastfeeding exclusively. The benefits of breastfeeding are substantial, but there has been some question as to what effects prolonged breastfeeding has on the development of a child, including language and speech development

Speech Development

Breastfeeding aids in normal oral motor development, including the lips, tongue, face, mouth and jaw muscles. Given that fact, KellyMom suggests that breastfeeding would not only enhance speech development, but also help to prevent problems. A study published in the journal "Pediatrics" in 2007 examined "the associations of breastfeeding initiation and duration with language and motor skill development in a nationally representative sample of U.S. children aged 10 to 71 months." Their findings concluded that breastfeeding may help prevent delays in children's language and motor skill development. A similar study done by the School of Medicine at the University of So Paulo went as far to say that breastfeeding is the basis for the prevention of speech-language disorders.

What Can Affect Speech?

Children should be drinking from a straw by age 2 and from an open cup by age 3, according to TeachMeToTalk. A "sippy cup" can lead to a huge open bite, or dental malocclusion, especially if he drinks out of it all day. It can have a negative effect on speech development, and require therapy, most commonly for the "s" sound. He should also be weaned from pacifiers between 2 1/2 to 3 years of age. At the very most, a pacifier should be used only for sleeping or calming. A child may become addicted to a pacifier and even prefer having it in his mouth over talking.

What Is Normal?

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding exclusively to 6 months of age and then in combination with solid foods until at least age 1. Anything after that, it says, is considered extended breastfeeding or prolonged breastfeeding. In contrast, the World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding in combination with solids to the age of 2 or beyond.

Modern practices of premature weaning have become the societal norm, but benefits of breastfeeding are considerable. In addition, the AAP found no evidence of psychological or developmental harm related to extended breastfeeding.

Benefits of Breastfeeding

Breast milk contains nutrients, antibodies, and immune-modulating substances that infant formula or cows milk lack. It is also full of omega-3 fatty acids, which are necessary for healthy brain development. Breast milk provides balanced nutrition, boosted immunity and also reduces the incidence of both childhood and adult illnesses like diabetes, heart disease, and central nervous system degenerative disorders. According to Dr. William Sears, a pediatrician, extended breastfeeding is an investment in your child's health. He cites the benefits of improved vision, better hearing, good dental health and teeth alignment, and a reduced risk of obesity.