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Perceptions of vulnerability 3 1/2 years after problems of feeding and crying behavior in early infancy
1Department of Pediatrics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510-8064.
Insights
Infant feeding and crying problems can lead to long-term perceptions of vulnerability and increased behavior issues. Management strategies, like changing milk formulas, may also impact a child's perceived vulnerability.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Child Psychology
- Developmental Science
Background:
- Long-term outcomes for infants with feeding and crying difficulties are not well understood.
- Early infant challenges may influence later child development and parental perception.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if infants with early feeding/crying problems are perceived as more vulnerable later.
- To determine if these children exhibit more behavior problems or have different personalities.
- To explore the impact of managing these issues by changing milk formulas.
Main Methods:
- Mothers of 379 infants were enrolled postpartum.
- Feeding and crying behaviors were assessed at 4 months.
- A follow-up questionnaire was completed by 320 mothers at 3.5 years.
Main Results:
- Infants with early problems were more often perceived as vulnerable (RR 1.86) and had more behavior problems (RR 1.78).
- No significant differences in personality were found.
- Formula changes were associated with higher perceived vulnerability (RR 2.18).
- Increased allergies were noted, but no differences in asthma or eczema prevalence.
Conclusions:
- Early infant feeding and crying problems, and their management, can have lasting effects.
- Parental perception of vulnerability and behavior problems are significant long-term consequences.
- Formula modification as a management strategy warrants further consideration regarding perceived child vulnerability.
Abstract:
The long-term consequences for infants with problems of feeding and crying behavior remain unknown. The purpose of this research was to determine whether such children are later perceived by their parents as vulnerable and more often have behavior problems and have different personalities than children without problems in infancy. The implications of managing such problems by changing milk formulas is explored. Mothers of 379 infants were enrolled in the postpartum period. Information about problems of feeding and crying behavior was obtained at 4 months. Thirty-six percent of the infants had problems and the formula had been changed for 17%. At 3 1/2 years, 320 (84%) mothers completed a questionnaire. Children who had had problems were more often perceived as vulnerable (relative risk [RR] 1.86; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.09, 3.19) and more often had behavior problems (RR 1.78; 95% CI 1.03, 3.07). There were no differences in personality. Children whose problems had been managed by changing milk formulas were more often perceived as vulnerable (RR 2.18; 95% CI 1.05, 4.53). Although allergies were reported significantly more often for those children who had had problems, there were no differences in the prevalence of asthma or eczema. Problems of feeding and crying behavior in early infancy and the way they are managed may have long-term implications for the child.