London: Breast, it is said, is best. But if you want a better behaved baby it seems that bottle-feeding might deliver faster results.
A study has found children who were breast-fed cried more, smiled and laughed less, and were harder to get off to sleep than those given formula milk.
However, the Cambridge researchers point out that while bottle-fed babies may seem more content, it may be that they have simply eaten too much. Like adults who comfort eat, they may have been calmed by eating or drinking more than they should. The team also highlights that the irritability linked to breastfeeding is natural, and not a sign of stress or even hunger. Instead, it is the baby's way of seeking attention and security from its parents.
Temperament studied
In one of the first studies of its kind, the temperament of more than 300 babies was assessed when they were three months old.
Mothers were asked almost 200 questions about their children, from how they responded to being washed and dressed, to how easy they were to get to sleep. The results showed a clear link with the method of feeding, the journal.
