Responsive breastfeeding

It is well known that breastfeeding is the best way to feed an infant and has many short- and long-term benefits for both mum and baby. However, did you know that breastfeeding actually heightens an infant’s ability to self-regulate their energy intake?⁵ This suggests that breastfeeding could be associated with better appetite regulation later in life.⁶

It is thought that the physical act of breastfeeding, rather than just the breast milk, is associated with better appetite regulation:

1. Infants fed breast milk from a bottle rather than directly from the breast were 67% less likely to respond to their own internal satiety cues⁶
2. Infants fed breast milk from a bottle rather than directly from the breast gained significantly more weight, which could be linked to obesity in later life^7,8
3. Breastfeeding is a naturally responsive way of feeding, as there is no set limit of pre-prepared milk and mother and baby are in such close proximity⁹

You should note that some mothers either cannot or choose not to breastfeed. For these parents and caregivers, feeding responsively is still possible from the bottle.