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[Effects of end time of night feeding on the growth and development of infants/toddlers]

Sheng-Yuan Xu1, Xin Li, Chun-Xue Zheng

  • 1Second Outpatient Department, Beijing Anzhen Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University, Beijing 100101, China. wangyixin6417@sina.com.

Zhongguo Dang Dai Er Ke Za Zhi = Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics
|October 30, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Continuing night feeding past six months impacts child development. It is linked to lower height, higher obesity rates, and increased dental caries in toddlers.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Nutrition
  • Child Development
  • Oral Health

Background:

  • Night feeding is a common practice in early childhood.
  • The optimal age to discontinue night feeding for child health outcomes is not well-established.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of continued night feeding beyond six months on children's growth and dental health.
  • To compare body height, weight, nutritional status, and dental caries prevalence at 30 months between children with and without prolonged night feeding.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 416 children aged 30 months was analyzed.
  • Children were divided into two groups: continued night feeding after six months (study group, n=269) and discontinued by six months (control group, n=147).
  • Data collected via child care records and questionnaires assessed physical measurements and dental caries.

Main Results:

  • Children with continued night feeding showed significantly lower body height (92.4±3.0 cm vs 93.3±2.8 cm).
  • The incidence of overweight/obesity was significantly higher in the study group (23.8% vs 12.2%).
  • Prevalence of dental caries was significantly higher in the study group (14.9% vs 7.5%).

Conclusions:

  • Continuing night feeding beyond six months is associated with adverse effects on infant and toddler growth.
  • Prolonged night feeding contributes to overnutrition and an increased risk of dental caries.
  • Recommendations for weaning from night feeding should consider these developmental and health implications.
Abstract

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