The effects of infant feeding decisions on infant growth.
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.
Barton
Sharon Jackson
SJ
University of Kentucky, Lexington, USA. sjbart1@pop.ukyedu
Howard
Patricia Kunz
PK
Rayens
Mary Kay
MK
D001942:Breast Feeding; D006128:Growth; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007227:Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008137:Longitudinal Studies