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The Effects of Infant Feeding Decisions on Infant Growth |
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| Authors: | Sharon Jackson Barton Patricia Kunz Howard Mary Kay Rayens |
| Affiliation: | PhD, RN, is Associate Professor, University of Kentucky, and a Nurse Researcher, University of Kentucky Children's Hospital;MSN, RN, is a doctoral student, University of Kentucky;PhD, is Associate Professor, Biostatistics, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY. |
| Abstract: | ISSUES AND PURPOSE. To determine the effects of feeding decisions on infant growth in the first 6 months of life. DESIGN AND METHODS. Growth measurements were collected twice during the first 6 months of infancy as part of a larger investigation of infant feeding practices (N = 52). RESULTS. Infants who received solid foods before the age of 4 to 6 months weighed less than those who received solid foods after 4 to 6 months. There were no differences in growth measurements between formula-fed and breastfed infants, although breast-fed infants weighed more at birth. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS. Emphasize the importance of feeding breast milk (preferably) or formula only for the first 6 months. Advise parents to withhold fruit juices until the infant is at least 6 months old. |
| Keywords: | Bottle-feeding breast-feeding infant feeding infant nutrition weaning |