The results of the study of two groups of babies who were breastfed and formula fed, respectively, show that babies who had been breastfed for the first four months of life had lower blood pressure at age. than three-year-old babies who had been fed powdered milk.
Breastfed babies also had slightly larger heads than babies fed low protein powdered milk. In addition, infants who were breastfed for the first 15 days of life had lower blood insulin levels compared to infants who were breastfed with powdered milk, although this difference disappeared when the babies reached l. nine months old.
Both groups of babies were within the norm for blood pressure and skull size, but the study raises the following questions: Can infant feeding have a long-term impact on health? babies’ health and do the observed differences disappear over time?
“It appears that powdered milk feeding produces differences in hormonal profiles as well as growth curves compared to breast-fed infants,” said Dr. Guy Putet in a statement.
The researchers suggest that the protein content in babies’ diets could be a factor that explains the differences between the two groups. Breastfeeding is better, says Guy Putet, but as an alternative, you can feed your baby powdered milk that produces the same growth and hormone effects as breast milk. Consult your pediatrician for the best feeding choices for your baby.
Previous studies have shown that breastfeeding has many benefits for babies, including reducing the risk of obesity and diabetes, the risk of breathing problems, eczema, ear infection, breast cancer, stomach and bronchi, but also sudden infant death syndrome.
WHO and UNICEF recommend that infants be fed exclusively breast milk for the first six months of life.
