Babies that sleep with a bottle are 30PER CENT more likely to be obese by age two Weight predictor: Babies who are put to bed with a bottle of formula are 30per cent more likely to be clinically obese by the age of two Babies that sleep with a bottle of formula are 30per cent more likely to be obese by the time they are two, according to a new study. Ben Gibbs, a professor of sociology at Brigham Young University, studied 8,000 mothers who either predominantly breastfed or formula-fed their nine-month-old babies. When he later evaluated the children's weights at 24 months, he found that the mostly formula-fed babies were much more likely to be clinically obese. In particular, babies who slept with a bottle of formula had a 30per cent higher rate of obesity by the age of two. According to Mr Gibbs, this means that babies who mostly bottle-feed have a harder time regulating their appetites later in life. Another factor is that mothers who measure their baby's servings in ounces from a bottle could be more likely to overfeed than those who breastfeed. The study also found that babies who were fed solid food before four months had a 40per cent higher chance of being classified as obese. 'The takeaway here is that the habits we adopt early on for our babies matter later in life,' Mr Gibbs told Today Moms. Still, Mr Gibbs says that a baby who is bottle-fed at night won't necessarily grow up to be overweight. The study simply indicates that while genetics and biology are known to play a large role in obesity, parents' feeding techniques are also an important factor. Despite the findings, Dr Cynthia Mann, a pediatrician in Hamden, Connecticut, insists babies should never be labeled as 'fat' just because they are naturally chubby. Eating habits we adopt early on for our babies matter later in life 'Babies are born with extra fat which helps keep them warm,' she explained. As babies grow, some are in the higher [weight] percentiles. Dr Mann explained that a good way to determine whether your baby's size is a cause for concern is by comparing its weight percentile with its length percentile. If these are parallel, 'this is normal growth,' she explains. The only way parents can really overfeed their baby is if they give them a bottle to rectify every situation, something Dr Mann says can lead to excessive calories over time. She also stresses, however, that restricting a baby's calorie intake is, in general, a 'terrible idea' and should only be done if recommended by a doctor.