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Breast-feeding duration and growth of fully breast-fed infants in a poor urban Chilean population
S Díaz1, C Herreros, R Aravena
1Instituto Chileno de Medicina Reproductiva, Santiago, Chile.
Insights
Higher birth weight, maternal weight, and frequent nursing (≥7 times/day) improve exclusive breastfeeding duration. Breast milk adequately supports infant growth when mothers and infants are healthy.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Nutrition Science
- Public Health
Background:
- Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for infant health.
- Factors influencing breastfeeding duration require further investigation.
- Maternal and infant health are crucial for successful breastfeeding.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze factors affecting exclusive breastfeeding duration and infant growth.
- To compare infant growth with World Health Organization/National Center for Health Statistics reference data.
- To identify key variables for breastfeeding interventions.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal analysis of 1217 healthy, exclusively breastfed infants.
- Data collection on infant sex, birth weight, maternal characteristics, and feeding patterns.
- Comparison of infant growth metrics (weight, length) with established reference data.
Main Results:
- 63% and 24% of infants were exclusively breastfed at 6 and 12 months, respectively.
- Higher birth weight, maternal weight, and frequent suckling (≥7 times/day) increased the likelihood of 12-month exclusive breastfeeding.
- Breastfed infants' growth aligned with WHO/NCHS reference data, indicating breast milk adequacy.
Conclusions:
- Exclusive breastfeeding adequately supports infant growth and health in the first year.
- Maternal nutrition and high suckling frequency are key modifiable factors for sustained breastfeeding.
- Health services should focus on maternal support and nutrition to promote breastfeeding duration.
Abstract:
The duration of breast-feeding and the growth of fully breast-fed infants during the first year of life were analyzed according to sex, birth weight, characteristics of the mother, and breast-feeding pattern. All infants (n = 1217) were healthy and fully breast-fed at 30 d postpartum and 63% and 24% were still fully breast-fed at 6 and 12 mo, respectively. The median ages at introduction of nondairy food and of milk supplements were 6.0 and 7.4 mo, respectively. The probability of remaining fully breast-fed for 12 mo was significantly higher in infants with higher birth weight and higher maternal weight, and in infants who breast-fed seven times a day or more in the first 6 mo. The comparison of the monthly weight and length of fully breast-fed infants with the World Health Organization/National Center for Health Statistics reference data showed the adequacy of breastfeeding to support infant growth. When mothers and infants are healthy, breast milk is sufficient to support adequate infant growth and health during the first months of life. The main variables that affect the duration of breast-feeding, nutrition and suckling frequency, are susceptible to interventions by health services. The results reinforce the need to care for maternal nutrition during pregnancy and to provide the support that women need to sustain a high suckling frequency.