Differences between breast- and bottle-fed babies
Infant formulas take two times longer for a baby to digest than breast milk. The slower digestion of infant formula can affect:
- Feeding frequency. Babies who take infant formula usually want to feed less often than babies who are breast-feeding.
- Sleeping patterns. Babies who take infant formula may sleep longer at night once they are about 2 months old. However, babies who are breast-fed usually catch up shortly thereafter, at about 3 to 5 months of age.
- Bowel movements. Infant formula causes formed, brown stools that have a noticeable odour. Breast milk causes loose, yellow stools that have less odour.
| Author: | Debby Golonka, MPH Ralph Poore | Last Updated: October 25, 2007 |
| Medical Review: | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine Thomas Emmett Francoeur, MDCM, CSPQ, FRCPC - Pediatrics Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics | |
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