Formula feeding is associated with increased risk of infectious diseases including gastrointestinal disease and respiratory tract infections. In resource-rich countries, children who are fed infant formula are up to five times more likely to be hospitalized in infancy than children who are fully breastfed55.
What are the side effects of bottle feeding?
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 breastfeeding.
- Bowel movements. Infant formula causes formed, brown stools that have a noticeable odor. Breast milk causes loose, yellow stools that have less odor.
Is bottle feeding bad for your baby?
Formula feeding is also a healthy choice for babies. If you use a formula, your baby will get the best possible alternative to breast milk. (You should not attempt to make your own formula or feed an infant cow's milk or another kind of milk.)
