Very true. I see newborns in the hospital being force-fed 2 ounces of
formula. 12 hours old! Of course, most of these babies chuck up what they've
just been fed, but that means the parents force down another "conveniently
sized" 2-ounce bottle. When I have suggested they feed 1/2 ounce and throw
the rest away, parents are shocked at the thought of waste. Well, it is a
waste, but if the option is to overfeed, it's better off down the drain.

However, not every baby is formula fed. How can the increased number of
breastfed babies translate into 74% increase in tubby infants? Even though
the US does not have a high rate of breastfeeding infants, it seems that the
increase in "baby obesity" outpaces the number of breastfed (normal) babies.

Just thinking outside the box today, I guess. Wouldn't it be interesting if
there were confounding factors?

Best wishes,
Heather "Sam" Doak
hoping for rain, and wishing away your heat!


<<"Should we be looking at other factors including how the infant is fed?"


     I have seen soooooooo many overfed bottle feeders!  Their parents give
them 4-6 ounces at such a young age!  Just 2-3 weeks, sometimes.

They often misinterpret their need to suck for hunger.  They let the baby
gulp the bottle down in 5 minutes, and then wonder why the baby is still
sucking on his fist afterwards.(whereas breastfeeding may take 30 minutes or
longer, thus meeting the infants strong neurological need to suck)  Thinking
this to be a hunger cue, they give them another ounce or more.   Also - I
believe "bottle fed" babies are often "forced" or "coerced" to finish the
bottle.  They are not allowed to stop eating until the amount in the bottle
is gone.  So they never learn to recognize their satiation cues.  They were
overfed as babies and continue to overeat as toddlers, children, teens and
finally adults.



Just my .o2 worth!

Linda Hill RN, IBCLC

In hot and humid 102 Texas weather!  Come on Winter!
>>

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