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The influence of temperament on weight gain in early infancy

Anne-Sophie E Darlington1, Charlotte M Wright

  • 1Department of Psychology, University of Durham, Durham, United Kingdom. a.darlington@erasmusmc.nl

Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics : JDBP
|August 15, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Infant temperament significantly influences early physical development. Specific temperament traits like fear are linked to slow weight gain, while distress to limitations correlates with fast weight gain in infants.

Area of Science:

  • Child Development
  • Pediatrics
  • Behavioral Science

Background:

  • Difficult temperament is linked to varied infant weight gain patterns.
  • Previous research primarily focused on late infancy and specific temperament traits.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between infant temperament domains and early weight gain (birth to 8 weeks).
  • To examine behavioral correlates of temperament in relation to weight gain patterns.

Main Methods:

  • Assessed weight gain in 75 infants with slow, average, or fast gain patterns.
  • Utilized maternal temperament questionnaires and 2-day infant behavior diaries (sleeping, feeding, crying, fussing).

Main Results:

  • Significant associations found between infant temperament and weight gain from birth to 8 weeks.
  • Fear dimension linked to slow weight gain; distress to limitations linked to fast weight gain.
  • Temperament dimensions explained 11% of variance in weight gain; regression model explained 59%.

Conclusions:

  • Distinct temperament domains differentially influence slow and fast infant weight gain.
  • Infant temperament plays a role in early physical development and growth trajectories.

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