Cambridge study reports bottle-fed babies more content than breastfed babies. Photo via Francisco Navarro.
In a controversial new study published by Cambridge University researchers in the UK, mother’s of formula fed babies, compared to mothers who exclusively breastfed, report that their formula fed babies are more content, laugh more, cry less and are generally better behaved than their counterparts. The study, which was performed via a series of approximately 200 questions on a questionnaire, was designed to determine if there was a difference in the temperament of exclusively formula fed vs. breastfed babies or mixed method babies.
The breastfed and mixed fed babies scored comparatively the same while the formula fed babies behaviors were seen as much more positive by their mothers
Researchers caution the interpretation of the study, suggesting that crying and irritability is a natural response — a way to seek out bonding and closeness with their caregivers whereas formula fed babies might appear, by contrast, to be much more content because they get fuller,faster and have the propensity to over-eat. The latter, they suggest, is biologically abnormal.
Researchers also suggest that such feelings of comfort may, in fact, be a bad thing because it may lead to eating issues or comfort eating later in life. They even suggest that the abnormal rush of nutrients that formula provides may throw off normal behaviors of agitation and effective communication skills.
The study also suggests that breastfed babies require more signaling and communication to get their needs met, which makes for normal development. Parents, they assert, may have to change their expectations of how babies should react to their environment and how content parents expect them to be.
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I have 2 children the first one breastfeed the other formula fed. The formula fed baby is so much more happy and content and has less gas than the breastfeed baby did.
I have 2 children, the first was formula fed from about a month old and my second is still being breastfed. I don’t think either was more fussy or gassy than the other one. I think a lot of it is breastfeeding takes a lot of work so breastfeeding parents might be more tired and might not see how much joy a child can bring no matter what they’re eating or how fussy they can be.
I won’t be switching my son to formula because of this though, breast is best and I want him to have the best start in life I can give him.