Breast-feeding confers unique immunological, psychological, growth and developmental benefits, and has been recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics as the exclusive food source for U.S. infants for up to 6 months after birth. In The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Hediger et al. used data from the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1988-1994) to study the effect breast-feeding had on subsequent growth patterns in infants and children ages 4-71 months. They found that over the long term, exclusive breast-feeding for the first four months of life does not affect growth, though a short-term lag in weight gain occurs over the first 8-11 months.
The study sample consisted of 5594 white, black and Mexican-American infants, of whom 21% were exclusively breast-fed for 4 months, 10% partially breast-fed for 4 months, 24% breast-fed for less than 4 months, and 45% never breast-fed. Infants who were exclusively breast-fed for at least 4 months weighed an average of 0.2 kg less at 8-11 months than infants who were not exclusively breast-fed. By ages 12-23 months, the discrepancy in infant weight and weight-for-length for the exclusively breast-fed infants had disappeared. Similarity in growth status between breast-fed and other infants persisted until the children had reached age 5. Because of concern that mothers might be advised mistakenly to supplement with formula or stop breast-feeding to encourage infant weight gain, the World Health Organization has proposed developing new international infant growth references using breast-fed infants as the norm.
In examining the demographics and maternal factors of the study, the authors found that infants and children who were exclusively breast-fed for at least four months were more likely to be white, born to older mothers (over 35) who were nonsmokers living in the west census region, and had a high education level. Never breast-fed infants and children were more likely to be black, small for gestational age, born to teenaged mothers who were smokers living in the south census region and had less than a high school education. The birth weights of exclusively and partially breast-fed infants were, on average, 100 g larger than those of never-breast-fed infants.
Hediger, M L et al. Early infant feeding and growth status of US-born infants and children aged 4-71 months: analyses from the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1988-1994. Am J Clin Nut 2000;71:159-67.
For more information please contact Dr. Mary Overpeck at mary_overpeck@nih.gov
This media release is provided by The American Society for Clinical Nutrition, to provide current information on nutrition-related research. This information should not be construed as medical advice. If you have a medical concern, consult your doctor.
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Journal
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition