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Maternal behavior and infant weight gain in the first year
John Worobey1, Maria Islas Lopez, Daniel J Hoffman
1Department of Nutritional Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901-2882, USA. worobey@rci.rutgers.edu
Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior
|May 5, 2009
Summary
Maternal feeding frequency and sensitivity to infant cues significantly impacted infant weight gain between 6 and 12 months. This highlights the importance of responsive feeding practices for healthy infant growth.
Area of Science:
- Maternal and Child Health
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- Infant weight gain is a critical indicator of health and development.
- Understanding factors influencing infant growth is crucial for early intervention.
- Maternal behaviors, particularly feeding practices, may play a significant role in infant weight trajectories.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the predictive power of maternal characteristics and behaviors on infant weight gain during the first year.
- To differentiate the influence of early versus later maternal feeding styles on infant growth.
Main Methods:
- A longitudinal study involving 96 low-income, minority mother-infant dyads.
- Data collected at a Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) center.
- Infant weight gain assessed at 3, 6, and 12 months, analyzed using multiple linear and backward regressions.
Main Results:
- No maternal perinatal measures predicted infant weight gain from birth to 3 months.
- Early maternal measures (birth to 3 months) did not predict weight gain from 3 to 6 months.
- Increased feeding frequency and decreased maternal sensitivity to infant cues predicted significant infant weight gain from 6 to 12 months.
Conclusions:
- Maternal feeding practices are key determinants of infant weight gain in the second half of the first year.
- Findings suggest potential overfeeding due to high feeding frequency and reduced responsiveness to infant satiety cues.
- Nutrition education for low-income mothers should emphasize recognizing and responding to infant hunger and fullness signals.
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