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Infant feeding practices in Barbados predict later growth
J R Galler1, F C Ramsey, R H Harrison
1Center for Behavioral Development and Mental Retardation, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA.
Insights
Early infant feeding practices and growth show a reciprocal relationship. Breast-feeding preference at 7 weeks predicted infant length, while infant weight influenced later feeding intensity.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Human Development
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Infant growth and feeding practices are crucial for early development.
- Understanding the interplay between feeding and growth is essential for public health.
- Previous research has explored these factors independently, but reciprocal relationships require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the reciprocal relationships between feeding practices and infant growth during the first six months of life.
- To test hypotheses that feeding practices predict infant growth, infant growth predicts feeding practices, and these relationships persist after controlling for background variables.
- To provide evidence for public health policy regarding maternal and infant support programs.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study design with 226 healthy infants in Barbados.
- Data collection at birth, 7 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months.
- Factor analysis of feeding practices questionnaire and multivariate analyses to assess relationships while controlling for background variables.
Main Results:
- Feeding practices at 7 weeks, particularly preference for breast-feeding, predicted increased infant length.
- Infant weight at 3 and 6 months predicted subsequent feeding practices, especially feeding intensity.
- Reciprocal relationships between feeding practices and infant growth were confirmed, even after controlling for background variables.
Conclusions:
- A bidirectional relationship exists between infant feeding practices and growth in the first six months.
- Public policy should advocate for breast-feeding and support maternal and infant health comprehensively.
- Early interventions focusing on feeding practices and maternal support can positively impact infant development.
Abstract:
This longitudinal study was designed to examine reciprocal relationships between feeding practices and infant growth over the first 6 mo of life. The following three hypotheses were tested: 1) early feeding practices predict later infant growth; 2) early infant growth predicts later feeding practices; and 3) these relationships occur after controlling for related background variables. The sample included 226 healthy, well-nourished infants born at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Bridgetown, Barbados. Assessments were made at birth, 7 wk, and 3 and 6 mo of age. Factor analysis of a feeding practices questionnaire for those mothers who attended all three postnatal visits yielded five uncorrelated factors. Three of these factors, preference for breast-feeding, feeding intensity and feeding difficulty, declined with infant age. Two of these factors, father helps and relatives help, increased with infant age. Several background variables, including maternal age, anthropometry and reproductive history, and reliance on outside sources of information were correlated with infant growth. Multivariate analyses confirmed all three hypotheses. The group of feeding practices (particularly the preference for breast-feeding) at 7 wk predicted increases in infant lengths at subsequent ages. Conversely, infant weights at 3 and 6 mo predicted subsequent feeding practices, especially feeding intensity. These reciprocal relationships remained even after statistically controlling for the influence of the background variables. Implications for public policy include the need for comprehensive programs advocating breast-feeding and supporting the general health of mothers and infants.