Breastfeeding May Help Avoid Overeating

Babies who are breastfed may be less likely to overeat later, a study suggests. The study included 1,250 infants. In the first 6 months of life, some were breastfed only and some were bottle-fed only. Others received both breast and bottle. By age 6 months, about 2 out of 3 babies were getting only formula. In each of the next 6 months, mothers were asked how often their babies emptied a whole bottle or cup of milk. About 27% of babies who had been breastfed exclusively in their first 6 months of life were draining their bottles as older babies. This compares with 68% of those who were bottle-fed from birth and 54% of those who received both breast and bottle. The pattern was the same even if those early bottle feedings contained expressed breast milk. Researchers said breastfeeding may help babies “self-regulate” food intake.