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Early weaning is related to weight and rate of weight gain in infancy

S Sloan1, A Gildea, M Stewart

  • 1Institute of Child Care Research, Queen's University, Belfast, UK. s.sloan@qub.ac.uk

Child: Care, Health and Development
|January 4, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Early weaning before 4 months is linked to increased infant weight and rapid weight gain up to 14 months. This finding suggests potential implications for the development of childhood obesity.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Child Health
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Conflicting evidence exists regarding early weaning's impact on infant weight.
  • This study investigates weight and weight gain differences between early-weaned and later-weaned infants.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare infant weight and weight gain in relation to weaning timing.
  • To assess the association between weaning before 4 months versus at or after 4 months and infant growth parameters.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized semistructured interviews with mothers of 1-year-old infants to assess feeding practices.
  • Collected infant weight data from birth, 8 weeks, 7 months (Child Health System), and 14 months.

Main Results:

  • Infants weaned before 4 months demonstrated significantly higher weight at 7 and 14 months.
  • Early-weaned infants exhibited greater weight gain between 8 weeks and 14 months, independent of breastfeeding status.

Conclusions:

  • Early weaning (before 4 months) is associated with accelerated infant weight gain.
  • Findings suggest a potential link between early weaning practices and increased risk of childhood obesity.
Abstract

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