Breast milk for the newborn is the best and the most excellent choice a mother can make. But few mothers have to resort to formula milk due to some inevitable reasons. Some mothers may not be able to lactate enough. Others may have certain ailments which may pass to the newborn baby through the milk. Mothers who have inverted nipples, or any other such issues, may not be able to breastfeed. Such reasons may require a top feed in the form of formula milk. But does formula feeding make babies chubby? Let’s find out.
As a mother, you may worry about the safety of your formula milk for your little one. No wonder you might have heard many theories about giving formula to babies. Infant formula is a nutritional substitute and is loaded with nutrients that help the baby to grow and flourish. Breastfeeding your baby may have many advantages. But there are equal benefits of formula feeding too.
In This Article
Does Formula Feeding Make Babies Chubby
It is a common perception that formula-feeding babies can lead to obesity later. Let us run through some important points, which lead us to the conclusion as to why and how the babies who are on formula are on the chubbier side.
1. Data Variant
The most important food for a newborn is milk, whether mother’s milk or formula-feed, and it is itself variety specific. There are a few deductions that can be made based on studies:
- The protein consumed by a breastfed baby reduces with age, whereas the protein requirements of a formula-fed baby increase after the first 1 or 2 months.
- The ratio of Omega 6 vs. Omega 3 in formula milk also accelerates the increase in fat cells.
- The composition of formula milk stimulates the production of more and more fat cells.
- Initially, the fat content of breastfed babies will be really high, but as solids are introduced the energy and protein intake increases drastically for the formula-fed babies and is much more when compared to breastfed babies.
(Source)
2. Inborn vs. Artificial
Whether the baby is taking natural milk or is formula fed, the result can be seen in the baby’s body itself. Breast milk consists of non-nutritious constituents, a type of lactose that regulates cravings, making the babies full at the end of a feed. Whereas formula milk lacks all of these constituents.
Another reason why breastfed babies are not on the chubby side is that the composition of breast milk differs from one mother to another and the babies control the quantity they want to take, thus not allowing obesity to set in.
3. Method of Supplying
The mode of delivery plays an important role in setting chubbiness in babies. Breastfed babies have full control over the amount of milk they take in, and it requires effort from both ends to meet it.
Thus, when the baby is tired, they stop sucking even though they are still not full. The stomach will not become overextended. The formula-fed babies are generally overfed, and their stomachs extent due to that.
4. Hormonal Differences Between Breastfed and Formula Fed
According to the Source, the hormones Leptin and Ghrelin are very significant in regulating diet and hunger. The concentration of the Leptin hormone in breast milk becomes abundant when the baby touches the verge of hindmilk. The second important hormone, Ghrelin, is manufactured by the stomach and functions as an indicator when the baby feels hungry. Babies who nurture through formula have increased levels of Ghrelin, which means higher or increased appetite.
5. The Hormone that Progresses the Growth
The Growth hormone controls our oily and fat tissues, discharges oily and acidic elements that can be acted upon by the rest of your body. Low hormonal development leads to low metabolism and vice versa. IGF-1, a group of hormones present in the blood produced by the liver, aids in the control of tissue growth in relation to nutrition obtained by the body.
According to a source, the higher protein content, which is 50-80%, is present in the formula than breast milk – propels up the baby’s secretion of IGF-1. Nonetheless, this rapid increase of IGF-1 rearranges the pituitary gland in a manner that seven years down the line, children who were taking formula feed have a lower IGF-1 level.
Various other studies performed on formula-fed babies and breastfed ones deduce that if breastfed between 13-25 weeks, it lessens the threat of being obese by nine years, almost by 38 percent. On the other hand, babies who are being breastfed for 26 weeks or lower the risk of hitting obesity by 51 percent.
Conclusion
Hence, we can conclude that throughout the initial 6-8 weeks of the life cycle, there is a negligible difference in growth (weight gain and length) between breast milk-fed babies and the ones fed on formula. Almost at two months of age, the babies that are fed on formula increase in weight and length measurement more quickly than the infants fed on mother’s milk.
Numerous studies have proven that by the time a breastfed baby is a year old, it is comparatively bonier than a baby who is formula-fed. Scientists suggest that the instant increase in weight amid formula-fed babies possibly denote fat mass gain. Hence, formula-fed babies are comparatively chubbier than breastfed ones. Of course, we cannot deny the role of the eating habits and lifestyle of the child
FAQ’s
1. Can I Opt for Formula Milk to Help Baby Increase Weight?
Breast milk is the best source of nourishment for a baby under 6 months of age. Opting for formula purely for weight gain reasons is not advisable. Please consult your pediatrician.
2. Are Babies Chubby Because of Formula?
You can never be too sure. The chubbiness of a baby is mainly genetic. If the baby’s parents or family members are chubby, the baby could be too.
3. Do Formula Fed Babies Have Better Appetite Than Babies on Breast milk?
Some studies show they do. The different components in the milk affect the child’s hunger levels. A higher intake of food can lead to chubbiness.
4. Can Drinking Formula Milk Lead to Obesity?
If you maintain the recommended levels, it won’t. Many parents don’t follow the prescribed quantities. In some cases, this can lead to overfeeding and obesity eventually.
