title: Control of intake by human-milk-fed infants: relationships between feeding size and interval.
abstract: Diurnal feeding behavior of 24 exclusively breast-fed infants was examined at 2, 4, 6, 8, and 12 weeks to assess whether milk intake at a feeding was related to previous (preprandial) or subsequent (postprandial) intervals between feedings. Amount of human milk consumed per feeding and intervals between feedings were measured over a 72-hr period. Correlation analyses revealed that volume of milk ingested at a feeding (meal size) was positively related to preprandial interval at all 5 ages (r = 0.39-0.47, p less than 0.0001). Meal size was likewise related, but not as strongly, to postprandial interval at 4 of the 5 time points examined (r = 0.17-0.25, p less than 0.01). Results of the correlational analyses revealed clear, consistent preprandial correlations, providing evidence for a reactive type feeding pattern among the solely breast-fed infants. Postprandial correlations, possibly reflect an anticipatory feeding pattern, were present but remained consistently low over the 3 months examined, providing little evidence of a developmental shift. This study provides a preliminary foundation for future longitudinal studies that address the regulation of food intake among infants.
authors: Department of Family Studies and Consumer Science, San Diego State University, California.
authors: R J
authors: RJ
authors: Matheny
authors: L L
authors: LL
authors: Birch
authors: M F
authors: MF
authors: Picciano
mesh_terms: D001143:Arousal; D001942:Breast Feeding; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D012528:Satiety Response; D013391:Sucking Behavior