title: The effects of infant feeding decisions on infant growth.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the effects of feeding decisions on infant growth in the first 6 months of life.
  
  
  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 breast-fed infants, although breast-fed infants weighed more at birth.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
authors.affiliation: University of Kentucky, Lexington, USA. sjbart1@pop.ukyedu
authors.forename: Sharon Jackson
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Barton
authors.forename: Patricia Kunz
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Howard
authors.forename: Mary Kay
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Rayens
mesh_terms: D001942:Breast Feeding; D006128:Growth; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007227:Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008137:Longitudinal Studies