Experts reassure mums over breastfeeding concerns

Breastfed babies may cry more than bottle-fed children, according to a group of medical experts.

A study of more than 300 babies carried out by the Medical Research Council (MRC) Epidemiology Unit found that breastfed babies cried more and were harder to comfort. However, the MRC has said such irritability is natural and should not put new mothers off breastfeeding.

Most British mums start out breastfeeding their babies, but within just four months this figure has fallen to about one-third. The Department of Health recommends continuing breastfeeding exclusively for six months following birth.

Dr Ken Ong, lead researcher and a paediatrician from the MRC Epidemiology Unit in Cambridge, said while bottle-fed babies appear to be more content, research suggests they may be over-nourished.

He said: "Rather than being put off breastfeeding, parents should have more realistic expectations of normal infant behaviour and should receive better understanding and support to cope with difficult infant behaviours if needed.

"These approaches could potentially promote successful breastfeeding, because currently many mothers attempt to breastfeed but give up after the first few weeks."

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