Infant formulas take two times longer for a baby to digest than breast milk. 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 breast-feeding.
- Sleeping patterns. Babies who take infant formula may sleep longer at night once they are about 2 months old. However, babies who are breast-fed usually catch up shortly thereafter, at about 3 to 5 months of age.
- Bowel movements. Infant formula causes formed, brown stools that have a noticeable odor. Breast milk causes loose, yellow stools that have less odor.
Credits
| Author | Debby Golonka, MPH |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Thomas Emmett Francoeur, MDCM, CSPQ, FRCPC - Pediatrics |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics |
| Last Updated | August 16, 2007 |
Author:Debby Golonka, MPH
Last Updated: 08/16/2007
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