Breast-feeding, maternal feeding practices and mealtime negativity at one year

This paper explores whether breast-feeding, mediated by lower maternal use of controlling strategies, predicts more positive mealtime interactions between mothers and their 1 year old infants. Eighty-seven women completed questionnaires regarding breast-feeding, assessing their control over child feeding and mealtime negativity at 1 year of infant age. Seventy-four of these women were also observed feeding their infants solid food at 1 year. Mediation analyses demonstrated that the experience of breast-feeding, mediated by lower reported maternal control over child feeding, predicted maternal reports of less negative mealtime interactions. The experience of breast-feeding also predicted observations of less conflict at mealtimes, mediated by observations of maternal sensitivity during feeding interactions. The implications of these findings are discussed.     

Dietary energy and nutrient intakes and growth of healthy Australian infants in the first year of life

A prospective study of growth and nutrition in Australian infants has shown a high rate of breast-feeding, which was continued past 6 months in almost two-thirds. This trend back to breast-feeding was most pronounced in the highest social class. Protein intakes dominantly artificially fed infants. Intakes of sodium were less than recent reported figures. Body weight increases in this group when artificial feeding prevailed.     

Weight gain during the first year of life in relation to maternal smoking and breast feeding in Norway.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the weight gain during the first year of life in relation to maternal smoking during pregnancy and the duration of breastfeeding. DESIGN: This was a one year cohort study. SETTING: The city of Oslo, Norway. PARTICIPANTS: Altogether 3020 children born in Oslo in 1992-93. Children were divided into three groups as follows: 2208 born to non-smoking mothers, 451 to mothers who were light smokers (< 10 cigarettes per day), and 261 to mothers who were heavy smokers (> or = 10 cigarettes per day). MAIN RESULTS: The mean birth weights were 3616 g, 3526 g, and 3382 g and 1 year body weights were 10,056 g (gain 6440 g per year), 10,141 g (6615 g), and 10,158 g (6776 g) in children of non-smoking and light and heavy smoking mothers respectively. Cox regression analysis showed that children of heavy smokers were 2.0 (95% confidence interval, 1.7, 2.3) times and children of light smokers 1.3 (1.2, 1.5) times more likely to have stopped breast feeding during their first year of life compared with children whose mothers were non-smokers. Linear regression analysis, adjusting for confounders, showed that weight gain was slower in breast fed children than in those who were not breast fed (-38 g (-50, -27) per month of breast feeding). Compared with children of non-smokers, the adjusted weight gain was 147 g (40, 255) per year greater in children of light smokers and 184 g (44, 324) per year in children of heavy smokers. CONCLUSION: Children catch up any losses in birth weight due to maternal smoking, but some of the catch up effect is caused by a shorter duration of breast feeding in children of smoking mothers.     

母亲不同喂养行为与学龄前儿童蔬菜水果摄入的相关性分析

了解母亲喂养行为对学龄前儿童蔬菜水果摄入的影响,为指导学龄前儿童科学喂养提供依据.方法 采用综合喂养行为问卷及每周水果和蔬菜摄入问卷对杭州市分层抽取的1 157名3~6岁儿童的母亲进行调查,分别评估母亲的喂养行为及学龄前儿童水果和蔬菜的摄入量.分析母亲不同喂养行为对学龄前儿童水果蔬菜摄入的影响程度.结果 学龄前儿童每天摄入水果报告率为72.8%,每天摄入蔬菜的报告率为66.4%.建立健康的家庭进餐环境、鼓励均衡和多样化饮食、让孩子参与制备食物对学龄前儿童蔬菜摄入量呈正向影响(β值分别为0.43,0.33,0.19,P值均<0.05),限制不健康食物对学龄前儿童蔬菜摄入量产生负向影响(β=-0.30,P=0.015);鼓励均衡和多样化饮食、监督、建立良好的进餐环境对学龄前儿童水果摄入量产生正向影响(β值分别为0.47,0.39,0.35,P值均<0.05),限制不健康食物对学龄前儿童水果摄入量产生负向影响(β=-0.31,P=0.036).结论 父母亲应建立良好的家庭进餐环境,鼓励孩子均衡和多样化饮食,让孩子参与准备食物等积极的喂养方式有利于提高学龄前儿童水果和蔬菜的摄入量.     

Riboflavin intakes and status of morbidly obese females during the first postoperative year following gastroplasty

Eighteen women participated in a prospective study to assess the need for supplemental riboflavin after gastroplasty. Three groups of five patients received either a placebo or 0.6 or 1.2 mg riboflavin daily for up to 12 months, except during months 4 and 7 when all participants were given a "one-a-day" supplement containing 1.7 mg riboflavin. Dietary intakes of riboflavin decreased from 1.43 +/- 0.17 mg before the operation to 0.70 +/- 0.07 mg at 3 months, and then increased to 1.02 +/- 0.17 mg by 6 months. Even at 12 months, only 33% of the subjects had dietary intakes greater than or equal to 1.2 mg. All those with total intakes less than or equal to 1.7 mg at 3 months had impaired riboflavin status, as indicated by an erythrocyte gluthatione reductase activity coefficient greater than 1.40 and an erythrocyte riboflavin concentration less than 372 nmol/L. In contrast, 62% of the same subjects had urinary riboflavin excretion in the acceptable range. Supplemental intake of 1.7 mg riboflavin appeared to prevent tissue depletion in all subjects.     

Study on the relationship between toddler temperament and development (first report)--the correlation among toddler temperament, maternal perception and rearing environment]

The purpose of this study is to clarify how a child's temperament and maternal perception influences the rearing environment. As the conceptual framework, we used A.J. Sameroff's transactional model and Miyake's conceptual model of mother and child. The following process was hypothesized: toddler temperament influences maternal perception, which in turn influences rearing environment under which children are developing. Questionnaires concerning toddler temperament, maternal perception and rearing environment were sent to mothers whose children were scheduled to receive 1 year and 6 months child health examinations, and results from 306 mothers and children who answered the questionnaires were analyzed. The results were as follows: (1) Child temperament showed a tendency to accord with maternal perception of how easy it is to handle him/her. (2) Maternal perception was related to rearing environment. (3) Temperamental characteristics were related to rearing environment. (4) While the influence of child temperament and maternal perception on the rearing environment was not shown to be strong, the hypothesized process of this study was supported to a certain degree. From these results, it appears that it is important to pay attention to a child's temperament as a contributing factor in the health practice of mother and child.     

Hemoglobin concentration, breastfeeding and complementary feeding in the first year of life

OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship between hemoglobin concentration and breastfeeding and complementary feeding during the first years of life. METHODS: Cross-sectional study with 553 children under age 12 months, who attended public healthcare facilities. Hemoglobin concentration was measured by the cyanmethaemoglobin method, using the HemoCue system. Associations of interest were analyzed through multiple linear regression. RESULTS: Hemoglobin concentrations compatible with anemia were identified in 62.8% of the children studied, with greater occurrence among the 6-12 months age group (72.6%). Exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of life was associated with the highest levels of hemoglobin. The remaining feeding regimes were associated with different levels of reduction in hemoglobin levels, which became compatible with anemia in children fed with formula (p=0.009). Tea and/or water consumption was associated with a reduction in hemoglobin concentration of 0.76 g/dl (p<0.001) among children under age 6 months. For children aged 6-12 months, hemoglobin concentrations increased significantly with the consumption of sugar (p=0.017) and beans (p=0.018), and decreased significantly with the consumption of fruit (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Exclusive breastfeeding until age 6 months and continuation of breastfeeding after this age, combined with qualitatively and quantitatively appropriate feeding may contribute towards an increase in hemoglobin concentration in the first year of life.     

Breast-feeding and cognitive development in the first seven years of life

The relationship between breast-feeding practices and childhood intelligence and language development at ages 3, 5 and 7 years was examined in a birth cohort of New Zealand children. The results showed that even when a number of control factors including maternal intelligence, maternal education, maternal training in child rearing, childhood experiences, family socio-economic status, birth weight and gestational age were taken into account, there was a tendency for breast-fed children to have slightly higher test scores than bottle-fed infants. On average, breast-fed children scored approximately two points higher on scales with a standard deviation of 10 than bottle-fed infants when all control factors were taken into account. It was concluded that breast-feeding may be associated with very small improvements in intelligence and language development or, alternatively, that the differences may have been due to the effects of other confounding factors not entered into the analysis.     

The relationship between breast and bottle feeding and respiratory illness in the first year of life.

The relationship between breast or bottle feeding and the incidence of bronchitis and pneumonia in the first year of life was examined in a birth cohort of nearly 2000 children born in Harrow, England, in 1963--65. Fewer episodes of acute bronchitis and pneumonia were reported in children who were breast-fed than in children who were bottle-fed. Firstborn children were more likely to be breast-fed than subsequent children. Mothers who smoked were less likely to breast-feed their babies. Although birth order and parental smoking have been shown to be associated with bronchitis and pneumonia in the same cohort, the association between feeding pattern and respiratory illness history persisted when these and other important factors were taken into account.     

Additional feeding assistance improves the energy and protein intakes of hospitalised elderly patients. A health services evaluation

Malnutrition is a serious issue that is prevalent in elderly hospitalised patients. Traditionally the role of feeding was designated to the nurse; however competing tasks mean that additional support for feeding assistance is needed. A program that utilises volunteers during weekday lunchtimes to assist, feed and socialise with patients at a Sydney hospital began during 2005. Twenty-three patients (mean age: 83.2±8.9years) participated in this study. Observations and weighed plate waste were recorded for each patient for all meals on two weekdays (when volunteers present) and two weekend days (when volunteers not present). Grip strength, Mini-Nutritional Assessments and interviews were conducted with patients, and surveys with volunteers and staff. Lunchtime energy and protein intakes increased significantly (396kJ and 4.3g respectively) when volunteers were present. Volunteers spent an average of 12.3min with each patient at lunchtime, compared to 4.7min for nurses. Nurses indicated time barriers to feeding patients but were positive about the value of the program. Volunteers were commonly observed feeding, setting up meals and providing encouragement to patients. Additional feeding assistance is one effective strategy to increase the energy and protein intakes and combat malnutrition in elderly inpatients.     

The utility of volunteer home-visiting support to prevent maternal depression in the first year of life

Background   Maternal depression can be detrimental to infant development. Structured home visiting initiated either in pregnancy or soon after the birth by a professional has led to better outcomes for mothers and their children but some vulnerable families may respond more favourably to a local volunteer. The value of volunteer support provided in the UK by Home-Start for maternal well-being is noted in qualitative studies, but there is no evidence of its impact from trials. The support is not structured and both the frequency and content of visits may vary.
Methods   A cluster randomized study allocated Home-Start local schemes to intervention or control conditions. Mothers in all areas were screened at routine health checks in late pregnancy. In intervention areas names of those scoring 9+ on the Social Disadvantage Screening Index were passed to Home-Start to be offered a volunteer. Not all those offered the support accepted the offer. In control areas no support was offered. Research assessments were conducted at 2 and 12 months. The outcomes were major or minor depression occurring between 2 and 12 months (Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual – Third Edition – Revised) and depression symptoms at 12 months (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale). Three groups were compared: supported, case-matched controls and those offered but not receiving support.
Results   Almost one-third experienced depression during the time period. Volunteer support had no identifiable impact on the emergence of maternal depression from 2 to 12 months or on depression symptoms when infants were 12 months. The major predictor of both was depression identified at 2 months.
Conclusions   It was not found that informal support initiated following screening for disadvantage in pregnancy reduced the likelihood of depression for mothers with infants.     

Breast-feeding rates and related maternal and infants’ obstetric factors in Japanese twins

Objectives  The aims of the present study are to describe the secular trend of breast-feeding rates in Japanese twins in comparison with the general population, and then to clarify the maternal and infants’ obstetric factors associated with breast-feeding in twins. Methods  Breast-feeding rates from 0 to 6 full months and related maternal and infant obstetric factors were analyzed using 4,023 Japanese twins, consisting of two different volunteer-based twin samples, age 1–15 years, whose birth year ranged from 1968 to 2003. Data were collected through mailed or hand-delivered questionnaires. Obstetric factors that affect full and partial breast-feeding of twins were confirmed using logistic analyses according to birth order in twin pairs, adjusted by birth year. Results  The full breast-feeding rates of twins were lower than those of the general population. On the other hand, the combined rates of full and partial breast-feeding were close to those of general population, except for the period 1968–1974. The percentage of concordance pares was around 95% for all months. The most influential factor that negatively correlated with breast-feeding from 0 to 6 months was gestational weeks. Higher maternal age at twin birth and the use of an incubator also prevented breast-feeding in the neonatal period. Conclusions  The results of the present study for the first time indicated that full breast-feeding of twins has risen recently in Japan, although the rates are still lower than those of the general population. The importance of the gestational weeks for breast-feeding rates was also shown.     

Consequences of maternal complications in women's lives in the first postpartum year: a prospective cohort study

Maternal complications are common during and following childbirth. However, little information is available on the psychological, social and economic consequences of maternal complications on women's lives, especially in a rural setting. A prospective cohort study was conducted in southern Rajasthan, India, among rural women who had a severe or less-severe, or no complication at the time of delivery or in the immediate postpartum period. In total, 1,542 women, representing 93% of all women who delivered in the field area over a 15-month period and were examined in the first week postpartum by nurse-midwives, were followed up to 12 months to record maternal and child survival. Of them, a subset of 430 women was followed up at 6-8 weeks and 12 months to capture data on the physical, psychological, social, or economic consequences. Women with severe maternal complications around the time of delivery and in the immediate postpartum period experienced an increased risk of mortality and morbidity in the first postpartum year: 2.8% of the women with severe complications died within one year compared to none with uncomplicated delivery. Women with severe complications also had higher rates of perinatal mortality [adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=3.98, confidence interval (CI) 1.96-8.1, p=0.000] and mortality of babies aged eight days to 12 months (AOR=3.14, CI 1.4-7.06, p=0.004). Compared to women in the uncomplicated group, women with severe complications were at a higher risk of depression at eight weeks and 12 months with perceived physical symptoms, had a greater difficulty in completing daily household work, and had important financial repercussions. The results suggest that women with severe complications at the time of delivery need to be provided regular follow-up services for their physical and psychological problems till about 12 months after childbirth. They also might benefit from financial support during several months in the postpartum period to prevent severe economic consequences. Further research is needed to identify an effective package of services for women in the first year after delivery.     

Risk of diarrhea during the first year of life associated with initial and subsequent colonization by specific enteropathogens

The incidence of colonization by enteropathogenic, enterotoxigenic, enteroinvasive, and enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (detected by DNA hybridization with specific radiolabeled probes), Salmonella sp., Shigella sp., Campylobacter jejuni, and rotavirus was related to the presence of diarrhea in a cohort of 75 rural infants followed longitudinally during the first year of life. The study was carried out between August 1985 and February 1987 in the village of Lugar Sobre la Tierra Blanca, in the state of Morelos, 180 km southwest of Mexico City. Intestinal colonization by specific enteropathogens was followed with fecal cultures taken every fortnight and every time a child had diarrhea. Pathogens isolated from cultures taken in the 48 hours prior to the initiation of the diarrheal episode were considered to be associated with the disease. Diarrhea was detected in 82% of the children with initial isolation of enterohemorrhagic E. coli and in 64% of the children with enteropathogenic E. coli or Shigella sp. The risk of diarrhea associated with the initial isolation of other pathogens was lower, at 41% for rotavirus and approximately 25% for enterotoxigenic E. coli, Salmonella sp., and C. jejuni. Initial colonization by the enteropathogens studied, whether or not they were associated with diarrhea, prevented disease, but not colonization by the same organism, when the children were reinfected during the first year of life. Enteropathogenic E. coli adherence factor, human or porcine heat-stable enterotoxins, fimbrial colonization factor antigens, and Shiga-like toxins I and II were important pathogenic characteristics related to the presence of diarrhea and to protection against subsequent infection by the same organisms.     

Iodine-fortified toddler milk improves dietary iodine intakes and iodine status in toddlers: a randomised controlled trial

European Journal of Nutrition - We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of consuming iodine-fortified toddler milk for improving dietary iodine intakes and biochemical iodine status in toddlers. In...     

Validity of maternal reporting of breast feeding history and the association with blood lipids in 17 year olds in Jerusalem.

The validity of mothers' reporting of the breast feeding history of their children more than 20 years after their birth was studied in a Jerusalem population. Among 74 study subjects, duration of breast feeding as ascertained from an interview was well correlated with that recorded in mother and child health clinic charts. Concordance was of similar magnitude in subgroups of ethnicity, mother's education, family size, and sex of child. Duration of breast feeding in 101 youngsters was inversely associated with plasma cholesterol in 17 year old girls, though not in boys, which was statistically significant on univariate analysis and of borderline significance on multivariable analysis. Among 17 year old boys, though not in girls, a statistically significant inverse association for plasma triglyceride was apparent on multivariable analysis. Reported breast feeding history derived from interview of mothers may be a useful instrument for study of possible long term effects of breast feeding in their adolescent or adult progeny.