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Midface Hypoplasia and Cranial Base Morphology in Syndromic Craniosynostosis: A Comparative Analysis Study Using a Predictive Regression Model
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Published on: November 4, 2025

Association Between Exclusive Breastfeeding and Mixed Feeding With Craniofacial Growth in Infants Aged 0-6 Months: A

Laila Yaned González Bejarano1,2, Nelson Alirio Cruz Gutiérrez3,4, Luz Mery Hernández Molina2

  • 1Facultad de Odontología, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogota, Colombia.

International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry
|June 5, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Exclusive breastfeeding in infants aged 0-6 months promotes greater craniofacial growth compared to mixed feeding. This study highlights the importance of breastfeeding for early craniofacial development.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric nutrition
  • Craniofacial development
  • Infant growth

Background:

  • Craniofacial growth and infant feeding methods require further investigation.
  • Understanding the impact of feeding on infant development is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To longitudinally evaluate the association between feeding modality (exclusive breastfeeding vs. mixed feeding) and craniofacial growth in infants aged 0-6 months.

Main Methods:

  • An observational, analytical, longitudinal cohort study involving 120 infants evaluated four times.
  • Nine craniofacial variables (width, height, depth) were assessed.
  • Linear mixed models analyzed growth increments by feeding type to determine associations with craniofacial development.

Main Results:

  • Exclusively breastfed infants demonstrated enhanced increases in anthropometric and craniofacial measures compared to those on mixed feeding.
  • Significant differences favoring exclusive breastfeeding were observed in total craniofacial height, anterior facial height, maxillary depth, and mandibular depth.

Conclusions:

  • Exclusive breastfeeding is associated with superior craniofacial growth in infants from 0 to 6 months when compared to mixed feeding.
  • These findings support the role of exclusive breastfeeding in promoting optimal early craniofacial development.
Abstract

Keywords:
anthropometrybreast feedingcraniofacial developmentgrowthinfantnewbornsucking behavior

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