Breastfeeding and brain development--is there a link?

Astonishment and disdain does not begin to describe what I felt when I read a post, by a doctor no less, in which the first sentence said, "Scientists have finally come to a consensus that babies who are breastfed grow up to be more intelligent."  Not only is that not true (that there's any kind of consensus on that), but the fact is--and this has been written about in study after study that tries to measure this--that there are many extenuating factors that could lead to higher reading or math performance.  For instance, a mother who breastfeeds is likely to be more highly educated, have more support, read more to her child etc.

In fact, this doctor goes on to quote the study's researchers saying the exact same thing!  So to lead off with a sentence like the the one used is nothing short of pathetic but it's incredibly irresponsible as well. 

The fact of the matter is, we just don't know. Unless scientists figure out a way to measure brain development while factoring in all the possible influences, we will never know.  I know several teenagers who were breastfed and are straight A students.   I also know several who weren't and are also straight A students.  It comes down to environmental factors, plain and simple.

So before anyone--especially a doctor-- goes around intimidating women with misleading statements, let's consider the facts.