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Growth patterns of breastfed infants and the current status of growth charts for infants
1Department of Nutrition, University of California, Davis 95616-8669, USA.
Insights
Breastfed infants typically gain less weight than formula-fed infants, which is normal. Current growth charts may not accurately assess breastfed infant growth, prompting a new chart development.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infant Nutrition
- Growth Monitoring
Background:
- Feeding mode significantly influences infant growth patterns.
- Breastfed infants generally exhibit slower weight gain compared to formula-fed infants, especially after the initial months.
- Existing growth charts, primarily based on formula-fed infants, pose challenges in accurately assessing the growth of healthy, thriving breastfed infants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the differences in infant growth patterns based on feeding mode.
- To address the limitations of current growth charts for breastfed infants.
- To inform about the World Health Organization's initiative to develop new growth charts for breastfed infants.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on infant feeding modes and growth.
- Analysis of weight gain patterns in breastfed versus formula-fed infants.
- Examination of the suitability of the NCHS growth chart for breastfed populations.
Main Results:
- Breastfed infants tend to gain less weight than formula-fed infants after the first few months.
- This slower weight gain in breastfed infants is often a normal pattern for healthy, thriving infants.
- The NCHS growth chart may inaccurately indicate growth faltering in breastfed infants due to its sample population.
Conclusions:
- Infant feeding mode is a critical determinant of growth patterns.
- A new growth chart specifically for breastfed infants is needed for accurate assessment.
- The World Health Organization is developing updated growth charts to better reflect breastfed infant growth.
Abstract:
In summary, numerous studies have indicated that the pattern of growth during infancy is influenced by feeding mode. Compared to formula-fed infants, breastfed infants generally gain less weight, particularly after the first few months of life. This appears to be a normal pattern among healthy, thriving infants. Although true growth faltering can certainly occur among breastfed infants, it is difficult to evaluate using the NCHS growth chart, which is based on a sample of predominantly formula-fed infants. This situation has prompted WHO to begin the process of creating a new growth chart based on breastfed infants.