Could Breastfeeding Reduce Baby Obesity Over Pumping?
by Liz Coffman
Oct 09, 2018
A recent study has found that babies who are exclusively breastfed have lower BMIs and a lowered risk of obesity than babies who are not.
Published in the American Academy of Pediatrics' journal Pediatrics, researchers analyzed data from 2,553 infant and mother duos. Some women exclusively breastfed, some nursed for three months before switching to formula, and some bottle-fed their babies.
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Babies who breastfed for less than six months gained weight faster, had a higher BMI at twelve months and had three times greater risk of being overweight compared to those who were solely breastfed.
Surprisingly, even babies who were bottle-fed breastmilk had a higher risk of obesity than babies who were fed directly from the breast.
Researchers aren't exactly sure why this is, however some speculate that freezing and reheating breast milk might change its properties. Others have stated that breastfeeding might help with portion control.
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Whatever the reason, it's clear that feeding your baby with breast milk - even if it's pumped - is best.
For more information on this study, visit this page.
Liz Coffman
Liz Coffman has worked in the advertising industry for over 7 years and is passionate about connecting people to the world around them through her writing. Based in the Pacific Northwest, Liz is also a professional musician, avid rock climber, hiker and adventure seeker.
