Is Formula More Filling Than Breast Milk?

Formula is different from breast milk in many ways.

Let’s tackle a long-held societal belief… that formula is more filling than breast milk. Is this true? Is it just an old wives tale? Let’s find out once and for all!

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Formula Takes Longer To Digest Than Breast Milk

Because formula contains additives and ingredients that a baby’s body can’t fully process, it takes longer to digest and sits longer in baby’s tummy.  

Breast milk, on the other hand, contains perfectly balanced proportions of water, protein, carbohydrates, enzymes, minerals, and vitamins for your baby. 

Babies Are Able To Process Breast Milk More Easily

Babies digest breast milk quickly and easily, and their bodies are able to process more of the proteins in it than proteins in formula.  Breast milk also contains special enzymes (called lipase and amylase) that help aid in digestion.

Babies Get Hungry More Often With Breast Milk

In general, since breast milk is digested more quickly, breastfed babies get hungrier more often than formula fed babies.  Breast milk takes about 1.5-2 hours for babies to digest while formula takes approximately 3-4 hours to digest.

Interesting fact ABOUT BREAST MILK AND SLEEP

Breastfeeding moms wake more often to feed their baby in the middle of the night, but report greater total hours of sleep.'

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