Breastfeeding Reduces Risk Of Obesity In Kids As Compared To Pumped Milk- Study

There’s a link between breastfeeding and lower obesity risk for babies, at least according to a new study.

The Canadian study, which has been published in the American Academy of Pediatrics’ journal Pediatrics, claims that breastfed babies tend to have a healthier weight as compared to those who are bottle fed, even if it’s with pumped breast milk. Researchers stressed that breast milk, in any form, is better than formula and the study findings support the notion that the method of feeding also matters.

For the purpose of the study, the research team analyzed data collected from 2,553 infant and mother duos who fed using a variety of methods to find out how feeding practices affected the babies‘ weight gain during the first year of life. While some of the mothers exclusively breastfed, some others nursed for three months before switching to formula, and others bottle-fed, among other combinations.

At the end of the study, it was found that babies who breastfed for less than six months gained weight faster, had a higher Body Mass Index (BMI) at 12 months and had a three times greater risk of being overweight compared to those who were exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months.

“The message here is not that pumping is ‘bad’ or ‘wrong,’ “said lead researcher Meghan Azad, an assistant professor of pediatrics and child health at the University of Manitoba in Canada. “It’s better than formula-feeding.”

Azad explained that breast milk contains a range of “interesting enzymes and hormones.” And it’s possible that their activity is depleted when pumped milk is refrigerated, frozen or thawed.

The study has found that the more a woman breastfeeds, the stronger the link to these benefits, even if some formula is involved. So, there are plenty of other good reasons to breastfeed when possible.

“Any amount is better than none. The more you can do, the better,” Azad said. “Every feed counts.”