Influence of breastfeeding and complementary food on growth between 5 and 10 months.
The aim of this study was to examine the nature of the association between breastfeeding, complementary feeding and growth in a random sample of infants from Denmark, where the prevalence of breastfeeding is high. A semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire and a questionnaire on breastfeeding duration and on weight and length measurements taken at the infant welfare visit at 5 and 10 months were sent to 590 families with 10-month-old infants. A total of 339 infants with complete growth data were included in the analyses. When controlling for mid-parental height and birth weight infants breastfed for > or =7 months gained 198 g less in weight (p < 0.01) and 7 mm less in length (p < 0.01) during the period from 5 to 10 months than infants breastfed for < 7 months. Controlling for these effects, the 10% of the sample with the highest protein intake (i.e. > or =16 energy percentage) gained 262 g more than those with a lower protein intake (p = 0.03). Infants breastfed for > or =7 months received significantly less cow's milk (p < 0.01), and fewer meat-containing dishes (p < 0.05) and sweets or cakes (p < 0.01), which may partly explain the effect of breastfeeding. The long-term consequences of this moderate difference in growth velocity are unknown and the findings should not be used to advocate against breastfeeding during late infancy.
Nielsen
G A
GA
Division of Ethology and Health, The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Frederiksberg, Denmark.
Thomsen
B L
BL
Michaelsen
K F
KF
D001942:Breast Feeding; D004044:Dietary Proteins; D005260:Female; D006128:Growth; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007225:Infant Food; D008297:Male; D013997:Time Factors; D015430:Weight Gain
D004044:Dietary Proteins