Breastfeeding predicts handedness

Laterality. 2012;17(3):361-8. doi: 10.1080/1357650X.2011.579131. Epub 2011 Oct 13.

Abstract

This study examined whether being breastfed predicts handedness. Two large representative samples from Britain (n=13,421) and Ireland (n=8,426) were used. Multivariate probit models are estimated, reporting the marginal effects of covariates on the probability of a child being right-handed. For both datasets, children who have been breastfed for a minimum period (between 1 month and 6 weeks) are significantly less likely to be left-handed. The results are robust to a variety of controls. Hence breastfeeding is an environmental factor that predicts handedness in a non-linear way, although the mechanism is unknown.

MeSH terms

  • Breast Feeding / statistics & numerical data*
  • Child
  • England
  • Female
  • Functional Laterality*
  • Humans
  • Ireland
  • Male
  • Nonlinear Dynamics