Further studies on the effects of infant feeding on speech quality
Broad, F.E.
New Zealand Medical Journal 82(553): 373-376
1975
ISSN/ISBN: 0028-8446 PMID: 1062715 Document Number: 86496
The previous speech survey of children of European origin made in schools in Putaruru, New Zealand (see NAR 43, 3905) was extended to include similar children in schools on the West Coast of the South Island, making a total of 319 for the 2 surveys. The West Coast study extended the findings of the earlier project. The combined studies showed that breast-feeding was associated strongly with speech clarity in boys and appeared to be associated with good tonal quality. Reading ability was associated with breast-feeding for the entire population, boys showing the effect more clearly than girls. A high degree of association was found between reading ability and speech clarity. There was an association between breast feeding and confidence. There was evidence that the feeding effect differed with sex and region.