Protein and Energy Intake during Weaning: I. Effects on Growth

ABSTRACT. The growth and food consumption of 30 healthy infants from 4 to 6 months of age have been measured. Two groups were assigned randomly to either a formula with 1.9 g of protein and 72 kcal per 100 ml (F₁) or 2.7 g of protein and 69 kcal per 100 ml (F₂). A third group of infants were fed breast milk (0.96 g of protein and 65 kcal per 100 ml (HM). All infants received supplementary food according to the same regimen and were fed ad libitum. The mean protein intake was 1.3, 2.6 and 3.6 g/kg/day in the HM-, F₁- and F₂-groups respectively. The corresponding mean energy intake was 80, 101 and 94 kcal/kg/day. The formula-fed infants had significantly higher protein and energy intakes when compared to the breast-fed group. No significant differences were found in the rate of growth of crown-heel length, head circumference or in weight gain. The differences in protein intake between the breast- and formula-fed infants without differences in growth indicate that the formulas may provide a protein intake in excess to the needs.