Topic Overview

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. But babies who are breast-fed usually catch up shortly after, 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.

Breast milk, unlike formula, has antibodies. Breast-feeding may lower your child's risk for many types of infections and allergies. Breast milk may also help protect your child from some health problems, such as eczema, asthma, and diabetes. For more information, see the topic Breast-Feeding.