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Related Experiment Videos

When and why are babies weaned?

P W Wilkinson, D P Davies

    British Medical Journal
    |June 24, 1978
    PubMed
    Summary
    This summary is machine-generated.

    Early infant weaning, regardless of feeding type, did not impact growth up to six months. Maternal perception of infant hunger, not age, should guide weaning decisions.

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    Area of Science:

    • Pediatrics
    • Infant Nutrition
    • Maternal and Child Health

    Background:

    • Infant feeding practices significantly influence child development.
    • Weaning age recommendations have varied, with some suggesting a "4-month rule".

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate infant weaning practices among primiparous mothers.
    • To determine if the age of weaning affects infant growth up to six months.

    Main Methods:

    • Prospective study of 50 primiparous mothers and their infants.
    • Data collection included feeding practices, infant weight, length, and skinfold thickness at 1, 2, 3, and 6 months.
    • Comparison of growth parameters between breastfed and bottle-fed infants based on weaning age.

    Main Results:

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    • Breastfed infants were weaned later (mean 13.8 weeks) than bottle-fed infants (mean 8.3 weeks).
    • Mothers most commonly cited perceived infant hunger as the reason for weaning.
    • No significant influence of weaning age on infant weight gain, linear growth, or skinfold thickness was observed.

    Conclusions:

    • The "4-month rule" for infant weaning appears unrealistic.
    • Maternal interpretation of infant needs is a more appropriate basis for weaning decisions than chronological age.
    • Current weaning practices are influenced by perceived infant hunger, with no detrimental effects on early growth.