Abstract
Objective: Early cessation of breastfeeding and introduction of solids is common in Australia, which may have implications for child growth and obesity risk. This study aimed to contrast usual energy and macronutrient intake of infants against requirements according to feeding modality (n=670) and determine whether early introduction of solids and cessation of breastfeeding were independently associated with rapid growth (weight gain z-score ≥ 0.67) between birth to age six months (n=220). Methods: An analysis of data from mothers and infants participating in the NOURISH and South Australian Infant Dietary Intake (SAIDI) studies was undertaken. Both studies enrolled mothers on the postnatal wards from 11 large hospitals in South Australia and Brisbane consecutively. Anthropometric data, infant feeding practices and three days of infant dietary intake data were collected at birth and again when infants were aged 4-8 months. Results: Usual energy intakes were above estimated requirements for infants aged 4-
Highlights
Previous studies showed benefits of slower weight gain associated with breastfeeding compared with formula feeding [3]
Infant feeding practices in Australia fall well short of recommendations, with our previous publication [4] reporting 58.3% of mothers ceased breastfeeding before 6 months and 33% introduced solids to their infants before 4 months
Complete data from a total of 670 infant aged 4-8 months were available for analysis, of whom 66% were NOURISH and 34% South Australian Infant Dietary Intake (SAIDI) study participants (Figure 1)
Summary
An analysis of data from mothers and infants participating in the NOURISH and South Australian Infant Dietary Intake (SAIDI) studies was undertaken. Both studies enrolled mothers on the postnatal wards from 11 large hospitals in South Australia and Brisbane consecutively. Anthropometric data, infant feeding practices and three days of infant dietary intake data were collected at birth and again when infants were aged 4-8 months This is a cross-sectional analysis of data from two studies: NOURISH a randomised controlled trial of an intervention promoting healthy feeding practices among first-time mothers [14] and the South Australian Infants’ Dietary Intake (SAIDI) study, a longitudinal study of feeding practices of infants from 0-2 years [15]. Maternal and Paediatric Nutrition Journal ISSN: MPN, an open access journal
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