Baby formula satisfies more, but breast still best for nutrition

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A recent study in the UK set about to find reasons why mothers may change from breast milk to baby formula, and how mothers can be encouraged to breastfeed for longer.

They looked at 316 babies aged 3 months and found that one reason may be that babies that are breastfeed seem to their mothers to be more irritable than babies that are formula fed.

Three-quarters of UK mothers start out breastfeeding their babies, by the time their infants are four months old, only one third are breastfed.

The most common reason they gave for formula feeding was that “breast milk alone didn’t satisfy my baby”, which suggests irritability is seen as a negative signal.

The research went on to say that it is possible that “Bottle-fed babies may appear more content, but research suggests that these infants may be over-nourished and gain weight too quickly,” said one researcher, “Our findings are essentially similar to other stages of life; people often find that eating is comforting.”

So possibly, by changing a mother’s expectations of their baby’s behavior, and letting them know that rather than being a sign of stress, irritability is a natural part of the communication between mothers and their infants, mums may be more willing to continue breast feeding for longer.

The study confirms of course that breast feeding is the most healthy form of infant nutrition. At Bellamy’s we support breastfeeding but importantly we recognise that when that’s not working and mothers make the decision to bottle feed they should neither feel, nor be made to feel, guilty about that decision.

Once they have made that decision, mothers need a formula that is high in nutrition and as close as practical to breast milk and that’s what our organic baby formula is all about. Most importantly, It’s really important that you make the formula according to the directions and stick with the recommended feeding guides unless otherwise advised by your doctor.

Professor Nick Wareham is Director of the MRC Epidemiology Unit in the UK. He said the study does not show a cause and effect (for instance it does not prove whether their baby’s irritability is what stops mothers breastfeeding), but it does offer some “fascinating insights” into the complex and dynamic communication between mothers and their babies.

“Understanding the determinants of infant feeding is a key step in designing appropriate interventions aimed at supporting healthy behaviours,” he added.

“Breast and mixed-fed infants were rated by their mothers as having more challenging temperaments; particular subscales included greater distress, less smiling, laughing, and vocalisation, and lower soothability.”

So the debate continues. If you’d like to know more about Bellamy’s Organic baby formula, go to Bellamy’s Organic Online Store.

To find out more about the research referred to in this blog go to http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/240223.php

Important Notice

Thanks for reading our blog about bottle feeding. We hope you found this information useful as it helps both breastfeeding and formula feeding babies and mums.

The World Health Organisation recommends that breastfeeding is best for your baby.

Having a balanced diet when breastfeeding is also important. Baby formulas should only be used after you’ve sought advice from a doctor or health practitioner.

A decision not to breastfeed can be difficult to reverse and introducing partial bottle feeding will reduce the supply of breast milk. It is also wise to consider the cost of infant formula.

If you use infant formula, all preparation and feeding instructions must be followed as per the manufacturer’s instructions. This is important for your baby’s health.