Related Experiment Videos
Growth of breast-fed and formula-fed infants from 0 to 18 months: the DARLING Study
K G Dewey1, M J Heinig, L A Nommsen
1Department of Nutrition and Program in International Nutrition, University of California, Davis 95616-8669.
Insights
Breastfed infants show lower weight-for-length z scores and gain weight slower than formula-fed infants by 6 months. New growth charts reflecting breastfed infant development are needed.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Infant Growth and Development
- Lactation Studies
Background:
- Current infant growth charts may not accurately represent exclusively breastfed infants.
- Variations in infant feeding practices can influence growth patterns.
- The Davis Area Research on Lactation, Infant Nutrition and Growth (DARNIG) study aimed to address these discrepancies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the anthropometric data of breast-fed versus formula-fed infants.
- To identify differences in weight, length, and head circumference between the two feeding groups.
- To evaluate the need for updated growth charts for breastfed infants.
Main Methods:
- Monthly anthropometric measurements (weight, length, head circumference) were collected from birth to 18 months.
- Two matched cohorts of breast-fed and formula-fed infants were followed.
- Infants received no solid foods before 4 months; cohorts were matched for socioeconomic status, parental education, ethnicity, infant sex, and birth weight.
Main Results:
- Formula-fed infants' mean weight stayed at or above the National Center for Health Statistics median, while breastfed infants' weight dropped below starting at 6-8 months.
- Breastfed infants had significantly lower weight-for-length z scores from 4 to 18 months, indicating they were leaner.
- While length and head circumference were similar, breastfed infants gained weight less rapidly after the first 3 months, with a 0.65 kg lower cumulative gain by 12 months.
Conclusions:
- Weight patterns of breastfed infants differ significantly from formula-fed infants and current reference data, even in high socioeconomic status populations.
- Breastfed infants tend to be leaner than formula-fed infants.
- There is a clear need for new growth charts specifically based on the growth patterns of breastfed infants.
Abstract:
Anthropometric data were collected monthly from birth to 18 months as part of the Davis Area Research on Lactation, Infant Nutrition and Growth study, which followed infants who were either breast-fed or formula-fed during the first 12 months. The two cohorts were matched for parental socioeconomic status, education, ethnic group, and anthropometric characteristics and for infant sex and birth weight, and neither group was given solid foods before 4 months. While mean weight of formula-fed infants remained at or above the National Center for Health Statistics median throughout the first 18 months, mean weight of breast-fed infants dropped below the median beginning at 6 to 8 months and was significantly lower than that of the formula-fed group between 6 and 18 months. In contrast, length and head circumference values were similar between groups. Weight-for-length z scores were significantly different between 4 and 18 months, suggesting that breast-fed infants were leaner. The groups had similar weight gain during the first 3 months, but breast-fed infants gained less rapidly during the remainder of the first year: cumulative weight gain in the first 12 months was 0.65 kg less in the breast-fed group. Length gain was similar between groups. These results indicate that weight patterns of breast-fed infants, even in a population of high socioeconomic status, differ from current reference data and from those of formula-fed infants. Thus, new growth charts based on breast-fed infants are needed.