I’ve mentioned it numerous times on this site- it is easy to overfeed a baby when bottlefeeding. Bottlefeeding has often been linked to an increased risk of obesity, but it has never been clear as to whether it is what is in the bottle or the delivery method that creates this link between bottlefeeding and obesity. A new study recently published in Pediatrics suggests that it is indeed the delivery method that makes the difference. Read here for a brief overview of the study.

This highlights the fact that bottlefeeding technique is very important and the importance of following your baby’s lead when feeding. Paced bottlefeeding is a technique that can help reduce overfeeding.  You’ll find various links to paced bottlefeeding throughout this site and here’s another one.

Breastfeeding naturally allows a baby to control their intake and take pauses and breaks when needed. It also requires the baby to actively suck to trigger a let-down of milk. Compare this to the constant flow of milk from a bottle, and it is easy to understand how a baby could easily overeat when being bottlefed. When we are aware and knowledgeable, we can limit the risks of bottlefeeding and help our babies to control their own intake.

One Response to “Bottlefeeding and Obesity- Reduce the Risks”

1. Sherry Says:
   August 9th, 2011 at 1:46 pm

   I have been EP’ing for 6.5mo now. I am an RN in our local WIC clinic and a lactation counselor. you can imagine my heartache when we went through 10 days of pure breastfeeding hell with undiagnosed reflux, and weight loss. My baby never did gain weight while on the breast. I began EP’ing because i fully understood the benefits of breast milk, and in the beginning I supplemented formula for a couple of weeks while I was establishing my supply. I quit using formula when I realized that I was taking more milk to the freezer than she was eating in a day (and I still do!). I had always questioned the obesity issue with bottle feeding and wasn’t sure if it was what was being fed or the method of feeding. I’m so glad to have seen this. My husband refused to acknowledge satiety cues (I have begged, cried and pleaded till I was blue in the face)because he “wanted the tank to be full at night”. He has gotten better about it but now I have scientific proof! And low and behold, when she doesn’t finish what is in the bottle, she still sleeps all night!

Leave a Reply