A number of studies have shown that children who breast-feed are less likely to be overweight or obese in their early years, which is good -- because an overweight child is more likely to grow into an overweight adult. According to one study, the risk of a child becoming overweight declines the longer a child is breast-fed. By age 14, those who were breast-fed at least seven months were 20% less likely to be overweight than those breast-fed for three months.
Why? That's a mystery, though it may well have something to do with how the different nutrients and hormones alter a baby's metabolism.
What you can do:
If you are able, give your child a good start by breastfeeding, in consultation (of course!) with your doctor. A German study found the prevalence of obesity in children aged 5-6 decreased significantly based on the length of time their mothers breast-fed them.
Formula or not.. My brother looked like the child on that picture and he was given formula.. AND A LOT of sweets!
ReplyDeleteMe and my sister, and my other brother was given formula and NOT sweets and we were never over-weight as babies.
We did however gain weight as we grew older but it was because of the bad food we were given.
I dont like the idea of formula instead of breastmilk but it sure helped me to give my son food since I didn't produce enough milk and his weight is perfect.
If you learn a child to eat right and to exercise he/she wont be overweight, as simple as that.
Sorry for my bad english ;P
Formula isn't necessarily the trouble it is the bottle. It is easier for a baby to drink from a bottle so they drink more formula more quickly. Formula is always exactly the same amount of nutrients and fat each and every time. A mother's body regulates how much milk her baby is getting with each feed and the consistency of fat changes in breast milk with each feed. A bottle fed baby therefore receives more fat over time than a breastfed baby. As well the fat is cow lactose not human lactose so it is more difficult to break down causing a slower digestive process and more fat storage.
ReplyDeleteBreast is best. Many mothers think they don't have enough milk when in reality the doctor is measuring off a formula chart. Mother's have enough as long as they don't supplement in the first 6 weeks.
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