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The growth of healthy Australian infants in relation to infant feeding and social group

N E Hitchcock1, J F Coy

  • 1Gastroenterology and Nutrition Research Unit, Princess Margaret Children's Medical Research Foundation, Subiaco, WA.

The Medical Journal of Australia
|March 20, 1989
PubMed

Insights

Infant feeding practices significantly impact weight gain. Shorter breastfeeding durations correlate with greater weight gain in infants, particularly after three months of age.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Human Nutrition
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Infant feeding practices are crucial for child development.
  • Socioeconomic factors can influence infant health outcomes.
  • Understanding growth patterns is essential for early intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between infant feeding practices and infant growth in Australia.
  • To examine the influence of socioeconomic status on infant growth patterns.
  • To compare growth trajectories across different feeding methods and social groups.

Main Methods:

  • A joint survey of infant-feeding practices and infant growth was conducted in Western Australia and Tasmania in 1984-1985.
  • Birthweights and growth from birth to one year of age were monitored.
  • Infants were categorized by breastfeeding duration and socioeconomic group.

Main Results:

  • Infant birthweights and growth were similar across states and aligned with international references.
  • Infants breastfed for shorter durations (or never) showed significantly greater weight gain by one year, especially after three months.
  • Infants from lower socioeconomic families exhibited increased weight gain after six months compared to higher socioeconomic groups.

Conclusions:

  • Breastfeeding duration is a key determinant of infant weight gain, with shorter durations linked to higher gains.
  • Socioeconomic differences in infant weight gain are primarily attributable to variations in feeding practices.
  • Linear growth remained consistent across all socioeconomic groups, irrespective of feeding method.

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